Seattle City Council approves 'loitering' penalties for prostitution and drug zones
New criminal penalties for drug and prostitution-related crimes within some of Seattle's busiest areas are on the way.
In an 8 to 1 decision, the Seattle City Council voted in favor of two ordinances on Tuesday, one creates “Stay Out Of Drug Area” zones – or “SODA” zones – in six areas of the city.
A Seattle municipal court judge can now order people who get arrested for drug-related crimes to steer clear of these zones or face a gross misdemeanor charge.
The other establishes a “Stay Out of Area of Prostitution” zone on Aurora Avenue North from 85th to 145th street. This new SOAP ordinance…
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