Monroe city officials say drug-related crimes are so rampant that they're banning users from entering parts of the city.
Last week, the city implemented its first ordinance prohibiting repeat criminals from returning to what has been designated as a "Stay Out of Drugs Area," otherwise known as SODA. Monroe's SODA begins at the intersection of Main Street and North Madison Street and extends north through Highway 2, excluding residential neighborhoods. It accounts for less than .05 percent of the city. However, Monroe police say it's where 57 percent of the city's substance abuse-related crimes occur. Last year, police received more than 6,000 calls from the SODA.
"A lot of crimes are drug related, specific to theft and burglary," said Interim Deputy Chief Ryan Irving. "We believe the SODA order will deter some of those other crimes that are happening."
The ordinance gives judges in Monroe Municipal Court the option to ban offenders from going back to the SODA as a condition of the defendant's release or sentence. Monroe police say they'll increase foot patrols in the area with the hopes of catching people who are violating the SODA order, which could result in an arrest.
"If we see that person downtown, we can go straight to the court. Otherwise, we'd have to get an order to arrest them right then," Irving said.
Monroe is not the only city to implement a SODA. Marysville and Arlington implemented a joint SODA in the south end several years ago. Marysville police told KIRO 7 it's successfully combating crime. Monroe has been keeping an eye on how the ordinance has been working out for other cities.
Monroe police hope this will be a temporary measure.
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