City of Lakewood announcement.
For the second time in two months, the Lakewood City Council adopted an ordinance focused on increasing public safety. The latest ordinance amends city code to allow law enforcement to arrest people who knowingly possess controlled substances, and charge them with a gross misdemeanor.
“The legislature adjourned last month without an adequate solution to protect the community against drug use and possession. Due to the uncertainty at the state level, we knew we needed to do something for our residents,” said Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen. “We passed this legislation to protect our residents and provide our law enforcement the tools they need to keep our community safe.”
Under the adopted ordinance a person who knowingly possesses a controlled substance can be charged with a gross misdemeanor, as defined by state law. A gross misdemeanor is punishable up to 364 days in jail, a fine up to $5,000, or both.
In February 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court invalidated the state’s felony drug possession law due to what was ruled to be a Constitutional defect, saying state law did not include the element of knowledge. In response, cities across the state responded by adopting local ordinances incorporating this element. As a result, known possession of controlled substances became a crime in those jurisdictions, including in Lakewood where it became a gross misdemeanor.
The state Legislature then passed a law that pre-empted local governments. This removed local authority to enforce city ordinances that make drug possession illegal. The state law goes away after July 1, 2023.
The Legislature is expected to reconvene May 16 to address the discrepancy. The Lakewood City Council took action Monday to show its residents that it takes their safety seriously, regardless of what happens at the state level.
“We can’t wait for state legislators to make the right decision,” Whalen said. “We need to protect our community. The action we took tonight does that.”
The ordinance was adopted unanimously. It takes effect in 30 days.
In March the Lakewood City Council adopted two other public safety-focused ordinances. They included making it a gross misdemeanor to use illegal drugs in public places and making it illegal to “camp” in public spaces. Both ordinance were adopted unanimously.
Finally outlawed Prozac? About time!
I’m glad our city representatives, unlike our governor and state representatives, can use common sense and realize that legalized drug use is a bad idea. Thank you for making public safety a priority here in Lakewood!
Thank you, Mayor Whalen and city council members!
Thank you, Mayor Whalen and Lakewood City Council for making The City of Lakewood a safe and desirable place for residents and visitors.
My attitude as a former police officer when I partrolled Lakewood streets was that everyone was welcome in my city regardless of race, religion, gender, or any other descriptor as long as they behaved themselves and complied with laws and ordinances.
I informed many a scofflaw that if they misbehaved breaking laws and ordinances they needed to know that The City of Lakewood was a Zero Tolerance city.
I had criminals tell me that other officers had let them go even though they had an outstanding warrant. Why was I enforcing the law they would ask? I asked them if they knew where they were standing. They told me Lakewood. I then informed them that Lakewood was a zero-tolerance city. They needed to stay out of Lakewood until they cleared up their warrants and were willing to behave themselves without breaking laws. Otherwise, I would arrest them based on any chance they provided to me, such as carrying illegal drugs.
Now for some true to life comedy. One time I contacted a suspect who had illegal drugs in his right pants pocket. His response was, “These are not my pants!”
True story.
Thanks, again, to The City of Lakewood for doing all they can to make everyone safe and to support having a decent place to live.
If there are good laws on the books, excellent support of the Lakewood Police Department, appropriate prosecution, along with having the judges and juries rendering appropriate consequences for those found guilty of law breaking, then and only then will there be peace in the city.
Joseph Boyle – Former Lakewood Resident – 51 Years
Cheers for Lakewood leadership!
Now that you’ve addressed the druggies and the criminal trespassers, how about 2nd amendment security for law-abiding citizens?