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R93-70RESOLUTION R93- 7~ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY CO~ISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, STRONGLY SUPPORTING THE POSITION OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION~ SEEKING THE COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE OF ALL CITIZENS, AGENCIES, AND GOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES IN THEIR EFFORT TO CONTROL PROSTITUTION AND SOLICITATION ACTIVITIES. WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Boynton Beach together with the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commissionviews prostitution as a significant socio-economic problem, often resulting from substance abuse and addiction; and WHEREAS, the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission recognizes that prostitution contributes to the depreciation of neighborhoods, and that there is a direct link between prostitution, drug related activity, the spread of AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases; and WHEREAS, the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission referred the issue of prostitution to the Law Enforcement Planning Council; and WHEREAS, the Law Enforcement Planning Council considers the issue of prostitution a criminal, social and health concern, it established a SubcomMittee on Prostitution consisting of members from the law enforcement community, State Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Health Department and drug treatment field; and WHEREAS~ the Subcommittee on Prostitution, following extensive review, developed a list of recommendations to assist Palm Beach County in controlling the problem of prostitution; and WHEREAS, the recommendations cover areas including legislative changes, solicitor and sentencing sanctions, education and health, drug and long term enforcement; and of concern prostitute treatment, WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Subcommittee on Prostitution were fully endorsed by the Law Enforcement Planning Council on February 4, 1993; and WHEREAS, the recommendations were presented for approval to the Palm Beach Criminal Justice Commission and endorsed on February 18, 1993, where each recommendation was addressed separately; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT: Section I. The City Commission of the City of Boynton Beach, Florida does hereby support the efforts of the Palm Beach Criminal Justice Commission by endorsing the following recommendations: 1. We encourage the Legislature to amend current laws on solicitation of prostitutes and the act of prostitution, making the first offense a second degree misdemeanor, and second and subsequent convictions first degree misdemeanors. la. Automobile forfeiture should apply at the third and subsequent offenses. o lb. We encourage the Legislature to examine current laws against prostitution and recommend that they be strengthened to include an override of the confidentiality of individuals who have been convicted and who had prior knowledge that they are H!V positive, so that appropriate tracking is possible. We encourage the impounding of solicitor vehicles, by local law enforcement agencies, at the time of arrest. We encourage the press and municipalities to publish the name and photo of convicted solicitors and prostitutes. 3a. We encourage Judges to impose fines and community service as part of solicitor sentences. 3b. We recommend the solicitor be required to provide proof of an HIV blood test as a condition of probation. 3c. We recon~end that the convicted solicitor be required by the Court to undergo appropriate evaluation and/or referral for other communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and syphilis. 3d. We recommend Court ordered comprehensive health evaluations be completed on all prostitutes upon conviction. The focus of the evaluations should be on the bio-psycho-social model. If an alcohol or drug abuse problem is identified, we endorse requiring the individual to undergo participation in a drug treatment or other appropriate program; in lieu of arrest, encourage law enforcement to consider the use of the [~yers or Drug Act. We encourage public education, provided by the medical profession~ to focus on health related issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, etc., with regard to prostitution. We encourage government and private funding to expand the availability of drug treatment in Palm Beach County. We encourage the State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, via contract with the local alcohol and drug treatment agencies, to designate a specific percentage of available contract funds to the treatment and assessment of female addicts. (The results of a District 9 HRS study plan reflects an inadequate funding allocation for female addicts.) We encourage the Courts and prosecution to expand the use of the Sheriff's Drug Farm short track program for both male and female prostitutes or solicitors who are drug abusers. We recommend that municipal law enforcement agencies establish multi-agency Task Forces on prostitution on an as needed basis. Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Boynton Beach, Florida hereby directs the City Clerk to provide a copy of this Resolution~ upon passage, to the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, the Judiciary of the 15th Judicial Circuit, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, all local law enforcement agencies, the Health Department, all local drug treatment facilities, as well as other potentially affected parties. PASSED AND ADOPTED this ~O day of April, 1993. ATTEST: CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Vi~e Contmissioner Commlmt~&oner ~ ' Core, is s ion~/ city Clerk (Corporate Seal) PBCCJC.Res 4/15/93