Corona Municipal Code Ch. 9.43 Charge for Police Services Related to Repeat Curfew Violators

The City Council finds and determines that repeat curfew violations drain the manpower and resources of the Police Department and may result in leaving other areas of the city without minimal levels of police protection thereby creating a significant safety hazard to the community. The purpose of this chapter is to defray the reasonable costs of providing police services in responding to and detaining repeat curfew violators.

(`78 Code, § 9.43.010.) (Ord. 2240 § 1 (part), 1995.)

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

(A) "Repeat curfew violator" means any person who has been detained and accused of violating either § 9.41.030 or § 9.42.010 more than once in any 12 month period and the Juvenile Court finds such accusations to be true.

(B) "Responsible party" means any legal guardian or person in charge or control of a repeat curfew violator.

(C) "Police services fee" means all cost of personnel and equipment for the amount of time actually spent in responding to and detaining a repeat curfew violator.

(`78 Code, § 9.43.020.) (Ord. 2589 § 2, 2002; Ord. 2240 § 1 (part), 1995.)

(A) The responsible party shall be liable for a police services fee for a police response and detainment of a repeat curfew violator for each incidence of a violation of either § 9.41.030 or § 9.42.010.

(B) In no event shall a police services fee exceed $200 for any single incident; provided, however, that the city does not waive its right to seek reimbursement for actual costs exceeding such amount through other legal remedies or procedures.

(C) The amount of such fee shall be a debt to the city by the responsible party. Any person owing money shall be liable in an action brought by the city in its own name to recover such amount, including reasonable attorney’s fees.

(`78 Code, § 9.43.030.) (Ord. 2589 § 3, 2002; Ord. 2240 § 1 (part), 1995.)

The Chief of Police, or his or her designee, shall notify the Finance Department in writing of the name and address of the responsible party, of the date and time of the violations and the services performed and the police services required and such other information as may be required. The Finance Department shall thereafter cause appropriate billings to be made.

(`78 Code, § 9.43.040.) (Ord. 2240 § 1 (part), 1995.)

(A) Any responsible party receiving a bill for police services provided pursuant to this chapter may, within 15 days after the sending of such bill, file a written request appealing the police services fee imposed. Any appeal regarding the billing shall be heard by a commanding officer (Support Services Division) ("SSD") and the Assistant City Manager or their respective designee.

(B) After a request for appeal is filed, the city shall withhold collection of the bill until conclusion of the appeal.

(C) If, after a hearing before a commanding officer (SSD) and the Assistant City Manager, the appeal is denied in part or in full, all amounts due to the city shall be paid within 30 days.

(`78 Code, § 9.43.050.) (Ord. 2240 § 1 (part), 1995.)