04271992 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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A. GOAL: THE COMMISSION REQUESTS THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN ESTABLISHING A ZERO TOLERANCE ATTITUDE ON YOUTH RELA'rED CRIMES, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE. IN CONJUNCTION WITH ZERO TOLERANCE, THE COMMISSION SUBMITS THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS. 1. YOUTH DETENTION FACILITY We feel that this recommendation is PARAMOUNT in our efforts for a zero tolerance attitude in San Marcos. A-t this time minors apprehended by the police can only be sent home to their parents if space in other county detention facilities is unavailable. We feel a detention facility is necessary if San Marcos is serious about the prevention of adolescent criminal activities. *SEE ATTACHMENT A 2. MIP CITATIONS The Commission recommends that the SMPD put more emphasis on enforcing the law prohibiting alcohol consumption by youths by writing citations for minor in possession in all cases <tlhere this offense occurs. On an anecdotal level, a youth recently being interviewed regarding his drinking habits (after committing a serious crime while drunk) revealed that he had been stopped by officers on two previous occasions. Officers issued a verbal warning and in one case poured out the alcohol. The community is fortunate to have the resources to provide education to youth and their parents in very early stages of a youth's drinking but at this point that resource is simply not being used because citations are not being issued. The Commission's desire to have MIP citations written does not stem from a desire for "punishment" by any means, but from a desire to intervene early and educate youth and their parents about alcohol and drugs. In addition, parents on the Commission express a desire to KNOW if their children are using alcohol. *SEE ATTACHMENT B 3. CURFEW This Commission stro~ recommends and encourages that Police Department. 401 East Hopkins. San Marcos, Texas 78666.512/392-8111 . FAX 512/396-4656