SYLMAR : Bill Aimed at Drug Dealing, Prostitution

A bill authored by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) would give police officers wider latitude in arresting drug dealers, prostitutes and people who appear to be engaged in such activities.

Scheduled for a hearing next week before the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, Assembly Bill 1035 would enhance loitering laws, enabling police to arrest individuals who exhibit behavior that indicates they are involved in criminal activity.

“This could really help greatly in cleaning up local neighborhoods where drugs and prostitution are a real problem,” Katz said. “The bill is designed to give law enforcement one more tool to get undesirables out of the neighborhoods.”

The first half of the bill addresses narcotics transactions, allowing officers to consider such behavior as “taking flight upon the appearance of a police officer” or “being in an area that is known for unlawful drug use and trafficking” as probable cause for arrest.

The second half focuses on actions typical of prostitutes and their clientele, including anyone who “repeatedly stops or attempts to stop motor vehicle operators by hailing, waving of arms, or any other bodily gestures.” Simply being a known prostitute or sex-for-hire procurer would also be an indicator of unlawful activity.

Katz said his bill would combat criminals who are becoming increasingly sophisticated in evading attempts to arrest them.

“Criminals who are pretty skilled in what they’re doing know how to skirt the law,” he said. “They know just what to say to keep from getting arrested.”

Katz hopes the bill will become law by Jan. 1, but acknowledges that its passage is far from assured. Katz said he expected the legislation to encounter opposition, namely from civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union.

So far, however, he said it has received no criticism.

ACLU officials were unavailable to comment on the bill.

Several citizens’ groups and law enforcement agencies have expressed support for Katz’s bill, including Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Bruce Crosley.

“What they’re trying to do in the bill is give us a little more discretion on the street in using our experience to determine the kind of activity they (criminals) are involved in,” said Crosley, whose Devonshire Division officers frequently sweep Sepulveda Boulevard in North Hills for prostitutes and crack dealers.

“Sometimes what you know to be going on and what you can prove to be going on are not always the same,” he said. “Naturally, if we were given a little more latitude, we would be able to utilize our experience more effectively (to apprehend suspects).”