Everett could expand restricted areas for criminals

The City of Everett is looking to expand its practice of keeping people convicted of drug crimes out certain areas of the city.

OPINION: Bus ads exemplify how far we’ve fallen into moral gutter

The city council is conducting a two-year review of its Stay Out of Drugs Areas, or SODA, ordinance.

The ordinance bars those arrested for drug crimes from visiting high drug traffic areas in the city, if they do, they can be arrested.

A large chunk of the northern part of the city is already included, including downtown and areas near Casino and Airport roads. The council is considering adding two more areas: the North Everett neighborhood around Clark Park and Everett High School, and along SE Everett Mall Way.

The Daily Herald reports both areas have had a high number of drug-related arrests in the past eight months.

“The goal is there are certain parts of the city that are high drug trafficking areas, and if you have been charged with and convicted of a crime related to drug trafficking, then you are not permitted to go back into those areas,” Hil Kaman, Public Health and Safety Director told KIRO 7.

Everett police tweak the list of known drug areas based on crime stats. The current list can be viewed here.

The council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance next week.

Follow @https://twitter.com/HannaKIROFM