Seattle Press on Line - New Initiative Hopes to Shift Seattle's Drug Enforcement Priorities

New Initiative Hopes to Shift Seattle's Drug Enforcement Priorities

By Sara Longley

Mar 14, 2002 -- America's continuing war on drugs affects us all, whether we are law-abiding citizens or hardened criminals. It does this, among other ways, by depriving us of funding for vital services. The sponsors of newly-filed Initiative 75 hope to change that, at least within Seattle, by shifting the city's priorities away from marijuana enforcement.

The initiative reads in part, "The Seattle Police Department and City Attorney's Office shall make the investigation, arrest and prosecution of marijuana offenses, where the marijuana was intended for adult personal use, the City's lowest law enforcement priority." According to Dominic Holden of I-75's sponsoring group, Sensible Seattle, the wording of the initiative is mild because state law prevents individual cities from passing laws that contradict the state's legislation. This makes it impossible for a city initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession or use. So, Holden says, "This is the strongest language we have."

"I think the initiative makes sense," said City Councilmember Nick Licata, who attended the I-75 kickoff party last Monday. "It may not really have that much impact, because we already have other priorities for drug busts...but it's a step in the right direction."

Initiative 784

A statewide initiative has been filed that would prevent property seizures during drug busts. If enacted, the Innocent Property Owners Protection Initiative (I-784), will change state law so that property cannot be seized unless the owner is convicted of a crime related to the property.

Under present law, property such as boats, cars, computers, and even homes can be seized by law enforcement and held until the owner is able to prove that the property was not involved in the commission of a crime.

Also, the initiative stipulates that the value of the property seized must be proportionate with the crime when considered together with other punishments. And proceeds from the sale of forfeited property would go to the State's school fund.

More information about Initiative 784 can be found at the sponsor's web site: www.libertyinitiatives.org, or by calling (360) 413-7784.

Will the initiative stand a chance? Holden says yes and bases his hope on a poll recently conducted by the Evans/McDonough Company. The poll revealed that 49 percent of Seattleites favor the initiative. Thirty-five percent oppose it, and 17 percent are undecided. If initiative backers can convince even one percent of those undecided voters, the measure will pass.

Initiative backers have to collect 18,000 signatures in order to get I-75 onto the November ballot. Signature gathering will kick off on March 17 with a volunteer orientation. Those interested in getting involved should e-mail volunteer@sensibleseattle.org or visit www.sensibleseattle.org to find out more.

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