HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03191985 - X.10 TO: j BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
• FROM: TOM POWERS Co tra
Supervisor, District No. 1 r Costa
K v.
DATE: March 18, 1985 County
SUBJECT: CONDITIONAL SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 0248 (HARRIS)
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Support Assembly Bill 0248 (Harris) , appropriating approximately $4 million of State
funds to Alameda County for a comprehensive drug suppression program, on the condition
that the bill is amended to include funds to assist Contra Costa County in addressing
the impact of such legislation on this County.
2. Request assistance of Contra Costa's legislative delegation in amending the bill.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The financial impact could be considerable if the bill passes in its present form. West
County residents and businesses would experience the financial impact because of an increased
crime rate associated with the high level of drug trafficing. This would aggravate an
already unacceptably high level of drug trafficing, street crime, and violence. Without the
suggested amendment, the bill would mean increased costs for the entire County justice
system, including law enforcement, prosecution, public defense, courts, detention, and
probation.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND:
The street drug problem in Alameda County has been well documented recently, and that County
has begun to take a variety of suppression measures. Assemblyman Elihu Harris has intro-
duced a bill (AB 0248) to provide up to $4 million for Alameda County to initiate a
comprehensive drug suppression program, which includes prevention, law enforcement, and
prosecution measures. There is no question that Contra Costa County could also benefit
from such a program.
As a result of the serious street drug activity in West Contra Costa County, District
Attorney Gary Yancey has formed a task force comprising the Sheriff, Cities of Richmond and
San Pablo and their police departments, the Probation Department, and the CAO to explore
the adequacy of current suppression methods and to develop a more coordinated law enforce-
ment approach,.to the problem. That task force is currently developing a strategy which
includes a proposal for outside funds for additional activities. The task force is greatly
concerned that a program in Alameda County of the magnitude provided for under AB 0248
would drive a large number of drug dealers up the I-80 corridor to Richmond, San Pablo,
and North Richmond. This is a continual problem in any event, but would be greatly
aggravated by a more intensive effort in Alameda County.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: A YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED 14L OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS O/JNTHE
�r►DATE SHOWN.
/ A
CC: District Attorney ATTESTED
Sheriff—Coroner Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board of
Probation Officer Supervisors and County Administrator
Chief E. Clements, Richmond P.D.
Chief D. Sylstra, San Pablo.P.D.
M3e2/7-03 BY `
DEPUTY
t
~ -2-
My recommendation is to support the Harris bill if it is amended to include funds for
Contra Costa County so that this County can take more effective and appropriate steps
to deal with the street drug problem in this County.