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4e/ CITY OF
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LE 716 OCEAN BOULEVARD
P.O.BOX 25
ATLANTIC BEACH,FLORIDA 32233
TELEPHONE(904)249-2395
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
THE CITY COMMISSION OF ATLANTIC BEACH WILL HOLD A SPECIAL
MEETING ON MONDAY, MAY 15 , 1989 AT 7 : 30 P . M . IN THE
COMMISSION CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL, 716 OCEAN BOULEVARD FOR THE
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE DRUG TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN THE
SECTION "H" AREA.
MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD AT MANTIC NrIC BEACH CITY HALL ON MONDAY, MAY 15,
1989, WITH RESIDENTS OF THE LEWIS/DUDLEY/GEORGE STREKr AREA OF ATLANTIC
BEACH.
Mayor Gulliford called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Present, in
addition to the mayor, were Commissioners Cook, Edwards, Jensen, and
Tucker. Also present were City Manager Fellows, City Attorney Mullis,
and City Clerk King.
The meeting was scheduled for the purpose of discussions relative to the
drug activities in the subject area and to formulate plans to handle the
problem. Mayor Gulliford explained members of the Code Enforcement Board
and Safe Neighborhoods Task Force had been invited to attend and both the
city manager and city attorney had done research on the subject.
The mayor explained the drug problem was not unique to Atlantic Beach and
although the present sentencing guidelines of the Criminal Justice System
present a considerable handicap in dealing with the problem, the City
would work to do everything possible to make Atlantic Beach as safe as
possible. He said the city would step up its efforts to have vacant lots
in the area cleared off. He asked the city attorney to report on his
research.
Mr. Mullis said under Florida law an Administrative Nuisance Control
Board may be formed to address illegal drug activity. This board would
have the authority to declare any premises or place a public nuisance if
a delivery or sale of drugs occurred on that property more than two
times. The board could issue an order to prohibit the maintaining of
that nuisance. It could prohibit the operation of the business, said
order to remain in effect for one year. This board would also have the
authority to go to court to seek an injunction to enjoin the operation or
maintenance of the facility or premises, a similar procedure to that
which was used to close down the Big L last year. While the property
rights of owners would be respected, vacant and dilapidated houses which
are declared a public nuisance could be condemned. Mr. Mullis pointed
out landlords are supporting this legislation since it provides a basis
upon which they can evict undesirable tenants.
Chief Thompson pointed out while the drugs were generally delivered to
the houses, most of the drug dealing is done on the street or from vacant
lots. The city attorney asked if property could be posted once it had
been determined more than two drug sales or deliveries had been made to a
home. The chief said he felt it would be helpful as long as it was
backed up by the city since much of the drug activity was from rented
property and landlords were fearful of breaking lease agreements if they
did not have something in writing from the city. He said most landlords
had been very cooperative but a few had not and he felt the city could
use a Nuisance Board to follow up on those situations.
Discussion ensued relative to tenant/landlord agreements and it was
generally felt both tenants and landlords should be informed of the
city's policy on dealing with drug activities.
Page Two
Minutes
May 15, 1989
Chief Thompson said the customers were mostly local and he said his
department had repeatedly arrested the same people and possibly
additional attention should be given to customers. However, the main
focus of their work had been on the dealers. They had had considerable
success on the east side of Mayport Road and hoped also to be successful
on the west side. He said the police could not do the job without the
participation of the citizens and encouraged them to call the station.
A suggestion was made to have a police officer record vehicle tags
numbers and to have letters sent to owners advising them their vehicle
was seen in a high drug distribution area. Chief Thompson said this was
being considered, as was putting police officers on the area on foot.
Chief Thompson outlined the penalties prescribed by the Florida
Sentencing Guidelines, and pointed out in particular the lack of
penalties for juveniles. He said there were only two secure juvenile
detention centers in the state and one of those was scheduled to be
closed, leaving accommodation for approximately sixty juveniles. He
further pointed out that because of the lack of prison beds, adults
generally serve about 20% of prison sentences.
At this point Mayor Gulliford said he felt no one could guard a
neighborhood better than the residents who were familiar with the
neighbors. He briefly outlined the objectives of the Safe Neighborhoods
Task Force and asked Rev. Evans if he would be willing to coordinate the
efforts and get participation from the residents of that area. He said
the success of this group would depend largely on neighborhood
participation, but cautioned that the main function of the group would be
to act as "eyes" and report to the police and in no way to attempt to
resolve problems personally. Discussion ensued relative to placing signs
in homeowners' yards and all present expressed willingness to
participate.
After further discussion the following was generally established as an
initial plan for addressing the drug problem:
1. Police continue working aggressively on the drug activity in the
area;
2. Commission would work to enact legislation to form nuisance board;
3. Work to get the residents of the neighborhood involved and encourage
them to contact police;
4. Post signs identifying the area as a high drug distribution area;
include such phrases as "Police surveillance on drug activity.
Registration numbers being recorded";
5. Plan new "Welcome to Atlantic Beach" signs and include such phrases
as "Help keep Atlantic Beach drug free."
The residents thanked Chief Thompson for the attention he had focused on
the area to date and expressed confidence in him and in the department.
Page Three
Minutes
May 15, 1989
Commissioner Edwards said this was a serious problem and expressed
disappointment that attendance had not been better.
Commissioner Cook said he felt the sentencing for drug dealing needed to
be made much more severe and encouraged everyone to write both state and
national legislators.
Commissioner Jensen said he agreed with Commissioner Cook but felt this
had been a good first step. The city would need to monitor results and
be prepared to take the strongest steps possible until sentencing
guidelines are strengthened.
Commissioner Tucker complimented Chief Thompson on the personal interest
he had taken in the drug situation, and encouraged the city to clear the
vacant lots as soon as possible.
Reference was made to the house on Frances Street which had been seized
by the police in connection with drug dealings. Mayor Gulliford said he
was anxious to see how that would come out in court to see whether that
might be a policy the city may wish to increase.
The City Manager said clearing the lots had already begun and Fire Chief
Rew said the Fire Department would do controlled burns where necessary.
Mayor Gulliford summarized that the general consensus of the audience was
to come down hard on drug offenders. He felt our first step would be to
warn, but in the event property owners did not cooperate, the city would
deal as harshly with them as the law would permit. The mayor also
indicated all those present would be informed of the next meeting of the
Safe Neighborhoods Task Force and were invited to attend.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.
ATTEST:
(7)47--c.4.--x-e_32,----'
Maureen King. City Clerk S