Monrovia : Loitering Ban Amended

The City Council, responding to civil rights concerns, Tuesday made some changes in its proposed six-month ban on loitering for drug-related activity.

The council added a section spelling out police guidelines for enforcing the controversial ban. “When in doubt (about application of the ordinance), do not arrest,” the section says, adding: “The law is not to be used indiscriminately.”

Because of the change, the council will have to vote again on the measure at its March 20 meeting. The ban would take effect 30 days after approval.

At Tuesday’s meeting, a number of residents supported the measure, but others warned about the law’s potential for abuse by police. David Hall, Monrovia chapter president of the NAACP, criticized the law as too vague and told the council he could not support it unless the enforcement policy was included in the ordinance.

If approved, the law would be the county’s first loitering ban aimed specifically at drug activity, City Atty. Rick Morillo said.

The ordinance sets down a number of conditions for arrest, including being a known gang member, hanging out in areas known for drug trafficking, and lingering within six feet of a vehicle registered to a known drug user.

Violations would be misdemeanors punishable by up to a $500 fine and up to a year in county jail.