By Jeff Skrzypek
EUGENE, Ore. -- It's been on the books for the past two years, but the city's Downtown Exclusion Zone is stirring up debate. Especially since it's supposed to sunset this year. Eugene Police say the exclusion law is working, and they credit it with creating a safer downtown environment.
"It's like time out. You just don't get to be somewhere were certain behavior is expected and you have been unable to exhibit it," said Mary Leighton, Network Charter School.
That was one of the ways folks who showed up to speak out about the Downtown Exclusion Law, explained their view of it. The ordinance, which allows police to ask that certain criminals be banned from downtown, was up for discussion Wednesday night.
"This give the officers a tool to say I have something to use, and it's going to be to remove you from these resources. You won't be able to use the library, you won't be able to use the buses," said Linda Tucker, Downtown Security Officer.
But not everyone sees it that way. Some argued that excluding offenders from some areas or services violates basic human rights, and that the Exclusion Zone Law lacks due process.
"There is a way to create a exclusion zone concept that might pass constitutional muster, but we're not they're yet," said Melissa Mona, Eugene resident.
Other concerned residents say the law in ineffective and certain important offenses aren't even on the list that can get someone banned.
"You know if I were to change anything about the ordinance that'd be the first thing I'd change, is to add sex offenses to the list of applicable offenses," said Doug Mozan, Eugene Police.
Eugene Police say they are listening to the concerns and issues folks have with the Exclusion Law, but they say it is just one of the tools that helps improve downtown safety. A point some folks agree about.
"And I'm not saying this exclusionary zone is the end all cure all. But it is a tool," said Jeremy Stark, Eugene resident.
Eugene Police say the commission will present its recommendation to the city council next week, on September 9th. That's when officers say any fine tuning or changes can be addressed.
