Title 9 PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
Chapter 9.58 LOITERING FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY
Note to Chapter 9.58
9.58.010 Definitions.
9.58.020 Loitering for purposes of illegal drug activity.
9.58.030 Violation--Infraction.
9.58.040 Expiration.
Note to Chapter 9.58
* Editor’s Note: The section headings in this chapter were created by
the editorial staff of the publisher.
9.58.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following
meanings:
(a) “Loiter” means to delay or linger without a lawful
purpose for being on the property and for the purpose of committing a crime as
opportunity may be discovered.
(b) “Public place” means an area
open to the public or exposed to public view and includes streets, sidewalks,
bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, parking lots, automobiles, whether
moving or not, and buildings open to the general public, including those which
serve food or drink, or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to
buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them. (Ord. 12470,
2003)
9.58.020 Loitering for purposes of illegal drug activity.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public place in a
manner and under circumstances manifesting the purpose and with the intent to
commit an offense specified in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 11350) and
Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of the California Health and Safety
Code.
(b) Among circumstances that may be considered in determining whether
a person has the requisite intent to engage in drug-related activity are that
the person:
(1) Acts as a “look-out.” For the purposes of this
chapter the term lookout means one who uses signals or language to warn others
that law enforcement officers are in the area.
(2) Transfers small objects
or packages for currency in a furtive fashion.
(3) Tries to conceal himself
or herself or any object that reasonably could be involved in an unlawful
drug-related activity.
(4) Uses signals or language indicative of summoning
purchasers of illegal drugs.
(5) Repeatedly beckons to, stops, attempts to
stop, or engages in conversations with passersby, whether on foot or in motor
vehicle, indicative of summoning purchasers of illegal drugs.
(6) Repeatedly
passes to or receives from passersby, whether on foot or in a motor vehicle,
money or small objects.
(7) Is under the influence of a controlled substance
or possesses narcotic or drug paraphernalia. For the purpose of this paragraph,
“narcotic or drug paraphernalia” means any device, contrivance,
instrument, or apparatus designed or marketed for the use of smoking, injecting,
ingesting, or consuming marijuana, hashish, PCP, or any controlled substance,
including, but not limited to, roach clips, cigarette papers, and rollers
designed or marketed for use in smoking a controlled substance.
(8) Has been
convicted in any court within this state, within five years prior to the
conviction under this section, of any violation involving the use, possession,
or sale of any of the substances referred to in Chapter 6 (commencing with
Section 11350) of Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of the California
Health and Safety Code, or has been convicted of any violation of those
provisions or substantially similar laws of any political subdivision of this
state or any other state.
(9) Is currently subject to any order prohibiting
his or her presence in any high drug activity geographic area.
(10) Has
engaged, within six months prior to the date of violation of this section, in
any behavior described in this subdivision, with the exception of paragraph (8),
or in other behavior indicative of illegal drug-related activity.
(c) The
list of circumstances set forth in subdivision (b) is not exclusive. The
circumstances set forth in subdivision (b) should be considered particularly
salient if they occur in an area that is known for unlawful drug use and
trafficking, or if they occur on or in premises that have been reported to law
enforcement as a place suspected of unlawful drug activity. Any other relevant
circumstances may be considered in determining whether a person has the
requisite intent. Moreover, no one circumstance or combination of circumstances
is in itself determinative of intent. Intent must be determined based on an
evaluation of the particular circumstances of each case.
(d) No officer
shall be authorized to issue a citation for a violation of this chapter until
that officer has received formal training on the ordinance from the Oakland
Police Department. (Ord. 12470, 2003)
9.58.030 Violation--Infraction.
Violation of Section 9.58.020 is an infraction and punishable as provided
in Section 1.28.020(B) of the Oakland Municipal Code. (Ord. 12470,
2003)
9.58.040 Expiration.
This chapter shall expire on March 4, 2004 unless a vote to either extend
or make this chapter permanent has been passed by a majority vote of the City
Council. (Ord. 12470, 2003)
<< previous | next >>