Law targeting drug-related criminal activity passes City Council

Legislation marks another major accomplishment for council's public safety work

Today the Seattle City Council adopted the creation of Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) which authorize the courts to prohibit a defendant from entering a designated areas in the city if they commit a drug-related criminal offense in that zone. Introduced in partnership with City Attorney Ann Davison, the bill provides additional ways to reduce prolific and open drug-related criminal activity in key public areas.

"Our neighborhoods have been hurting for too long. We need to start with those in need but this bill will help us build back community for neighbors, residents, small business owners, and employees who have been suffering from the crime that accompanies the illicit drug activity," said Councilmember Bob Kettle(District 7), who also chairs the Public Safety Committee. "This legislation uses a data driven approach to achieve the goals in our Strategic Framework plan. I am appreciative for the support our legislation has received from the community and my colleagues, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make Seattle safer."

Initially proposed SODA zones included areas of Downtown Seattle (Belltown) and the International District. On Sept. 10, the legislation passed the Public Safety Committee by a vote of 5-0. The bill was amended to add additional areas in Belltown, Capitol Hill, the University District, and Pioneer Square.

"Criminal behavior is no longer tolerable on our streets. This legislation sends a strong message to the public that this Council has heard their demands for stronger safety measures. It is illustrative of our Council's commitment to working closely with constituents and crafting public policy that is supported by data. This policy is narrowly tailored to address key hot spots in our city where we know dangerous drugs like fentanyl are especially prevalent in our communities," said Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1).

"For the past two years I have heard loud and clear from law enforcement that they need new legal tools to disrupt open-air criminal drug market activity in many areas of our city, and the tragedy of human trafficking on Aurora Avenue North," said City Attorney Davison. "I have worked on and advocated for these two new ordinances to answer that call. I look forward to partnering with the Seattle Police Department on strategic enforcement to help impacted neighborhoods and protect vulnerable victims. Thank you to the Seattle City Council for stepping up to the moment."

"We absolutely must do more to disrupt the drug market downtown," said Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9). "This bill provides an additional tool for doing just that while implementing the recommendation in the City Auditor's report that we take a place-based approach to drug-related crime to best target our limited police and human service resources."

Background

Tuesday's passage of both the SODA legislation and Councilmember Cathy Moore's (District 5) Stay Out of Area Prostitution (SOAP) bill, combatting commercial sexual exploitation and gun violence connected with it, marks another major public safety achievement for the council. This work over the last several months includes:

Additional background information on SODA, including the full text of the bill, is available in the council packet materials.

Next Steps

If signed by the mayor, the new law will go into effect 30 days after the date of his signature.

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