WESTMINSTER : Schools Declared ‘Drug-Free Zones’
The City Council has declared all schools “drug-free zones,” a move that will ensure harsher penalties for those convicted of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school to anyone under 21.
Since 1989, state law has allowed judges to add up to five years to a prison sentence for selling drugs near schools. However, City Atty. Richard Jones said the extra years of incarceration often are not added to a convicted drug felon’s sentence because law enforcement agencies neglect to investigate how close a school is to a drug offense.
The resolution states that the city will aggressively pursue the additional penalty whenever possible, which Police Capt. John Savage said should discourage dealers.
“It’s enhanced punishment,” Savage said. “It will increase the cost of business for drug traffickers. It should cause them to pause a little bit. . . . Anything that can reduce the demand or supply makes us happy.”
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