Santa Cruz City Council May Designate Entire City as a 'Safety Enhancement Zone'

In past years during the Fourth of July, the City of Santa Cruz has fenced off access to public beaches as part of law enforcement activities during the holiday.

The safety enhancement zone ordinance was first adopted in 2006 to enhance the penalties for the violation of certain municipal code chapters, and the City
Council has designated a safety enhancement zone for Halloween, New Year’s Eve and Independence Day within certain geographic locations over the past seven years.

According to the staff report, "Traditionally, City Council has designated the beach areas a safety enhancement zone during the Fourth of July weekend, given the significant influx of residents and visitors to the beach, and propensity for individuals to violate public drinking, fireworks usage and other Municipal Code sections."

"Staff recommends City Council approval of the recommendation to designate the entire City of Santa Cruz, and extending from its boundaries to the Pacific Ocean, as a safety enhancement zone during the 2014 Fourth of July Holiday weekend, to be in effect from 12:01a.m. on Friday July 4, 2014 to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday July 6, 2014."

The amended safety enhancement zone ordinance will be introduced for adoption at the Santa Cruz City Council Meeting during its June 24 7pm session in Council Chambers, held at 809 Center Street in Santa Cruz.

Safety enhancement zone information on the City Council meeting agenda:
http://sire.cityofsantacruz.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=561&doctype=AGENDA