S-1786               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 4329

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State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senators Lee, Benitz and Metcalf

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to local taxing districts; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     There is a need for allowing enhanced local law enforcement efforts, including special neighborhood crime prevention efforts.  The legislature finds that authorizing the creation of crime prevention districts would enhance voluntary efforts at preventing the personal and property losses that result from crime.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The legislative authority of a county or city may allow the establishment of one or more crime prevention districts within the boundaries of the county or city.  The primary purpose of such a district is to allow the funding of increased levels of law enforcement within the district's boundaries.  The county or city legislative authority shall be the governing authority of a crime prevention district, and shall expend the funds collected within the district for the purposes of crime prevention and law enforcement, including increased law enforcement personnel, additional crime prevention equipment, additional anticrime education and instruction, and any other activity intended to reduce or eliminate criminal activity.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     Residents and property owners within a crime prevention district may make voluntary contributions to that crime prevention district's fund.  They may also establish an advisory committee to advise the appropriate legislative authority on the various purposes for which the fund may be spent.  The district's fund may also accept grants and donations from public and private sources located outside of the district.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     A county or city legislative authority shall respond within thirty days to a petition for the establishment of a crime prevention district, by either denying or granting the petition.  The authority may hold a public hearing on the matter, before it reaches a decision on the petition.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     This act may be called the Local Crime Prevention Act of 1985.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.