Chapter 12.28 — SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ZONES

• A. The City Council may, by resolution, upon determining that there is a need to take action to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, designate a specific geographical area as a Safety Enhancement Zone and specify the date and time that the designation is effective. The designation of a Safety Enhancement Zone shall be based upon the City Council finding both that the geographical area is subject to unique conditions and circumstances that create the potential for a significant threat to public health and safety, and that the threat would be reduced by enhanced penalties for violations of certain provisions of this Code.

• B. The resolution establishing a Safety Enhancement Zone shall contain the following provisions:

  1. A description of the geographical area comprising the Safety Enhancement Zone; and

2. The date and time which the Safety Enhancement Zone designation is effective.

(Ord. 6696-19-18)

• A. Any person who violates a designated provision of this Code within an area that the City Council has designated as a Safety Enhancement Zone, shall be subject to an enhanced fine. The enhanced fine shall be twice the amount of the fine applicable to a violation per the City of Desert Hot Springs bail schedule, up to a maximum of $1,000. A separate offense shall be deemed to have been committed whenever a person repeats the act that constitutes the violation.

• B. At least every two years, areas designated as Safety Enhancement Zones shall be reviewed to determine whether such designation should remain in place.

• C. Enhanced penalties for violations committed within a designated Safety Enhancement Zone, shall apply to violations of the following provisions of this Code:

  1. Chapter 10.20 Traffic Regulations.

2. Chapter 10.32 Speed Limits.

(Ord. 6696-19-18)

A violation under this chapter may be prosecuted either criminally or administratively pursuant to Title 4 of this Code.

(Ord. 6696-19-18)