Chapter 9.36
CRIMINAL STREET GANGS
Sections:
9.36.030 Criminal street gang tagging and graffiti.
9.36.040 Penalty for violation – Enhanced penalty – Sentencing.
9.36.060 Powers of law enforcement officers not limited.
9.36.080 Adoption by reference includes subsequent amendments.
9.36.010 Purpose.
The Sunnyside City Council finds and declares that the ability to feel safe and secure in one’s own home and in one’s own community is of primary importance. The City Council hereby finds and declares that it is the right of every person, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, or handicap, to be secure and protected from fear, intimidation, and physical harm caused by the activities of violent groups and individuals. It is not the intent of this chapter to interfere with the exercise of the constitutionally protected rights of freedom of expression and association. The City Council hereby recognizes the constitutional right of every citizen to harbor and express beliefs on any lawful subject, to lawfully associate with others who share similar beliefs on any lawful subject, to petition lawfully constituted authority for redress of perceived grievances, and to participate in the electoral process.
The City Council, however, further finds and recognizes that criminal street gangs promote crime and jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare of citizens of the City of Sunnyside. The City Council finds that the City of Sunnyside is in a state of crisis which has been caused by violent street gangs whose members threaten, terrorize, and commit a multitude of crimes against the peaceful citizens of their neighborhood. These activities, both individually and collectively, present a clear and present danger to public order and safety and are not constitutionally protected.
The City Council finds that there are approximately 50 adult and 200 juvenile criminal street gang members operating in the City of Sunnyside, and that the number of criminal street gang related offenses is increasing. Criminal street gang activities jeopardize the life and health of residents, result in damage to property, cause public disturbances, create numerous calls for police service and assistance, and deplete the revenues available for promotion of the public welfare. It is the intent of the City Council in enacting this chapter to seek the eradication of criminal activity by street gangs by focusing upon patterns of criminal gang activity and upon the organized nature of street gangs; which together, are the chief source of terror created by street gangs. The purpose of this chapter is to provide the community with a tool that will help residents to restore the health, safety and quiet enjoyment of their community. [Ord. 2193 § 2, 2008.]
9.36.020 Definitions.
RCW 9.94A.030, as currently enacted or as hereafter amended or recodified from time to time, is hereby adopted by reference and shall be given the same force and effect as if set forth herein in full. [Ord. 2022-25 § 36, 2022; Ord. 2193 § 2, 2008.]
9.36.030 Criminal street gang tagging and graffiti.
HB 2712 Section 306, which will be codified as RCW (number to be assigned), is adopted by reference, which reads as follows:
(1) A person is guilty of criminal street gang tagging and graffiti if he or she commits malicious mischief in the third degree under RCW 9A.48.090(1)(b) and he or she:
(a) Has multiple current convictions for malicious mischief in the third degree offenses under RCW 9A.48.090(1)(b); or
(b) Has previously been convicted for malicious mischief in the third degree offense under RCW 9A.48.090(1)(b) or a comparable offense under a municipal code provision of any city or town; and
(c) The current offense or one of the current offenses is a “criminal street gang-related offense” as defined in RCW 9.94A.030.
(2) Criminal street gang tagging and graffiti is a gross misdemeanor offense.
[Ord. 2193 § 2, 2008.]
9.36.040 Penalty for violation – Enhanced penalty – Sentencing.
A. Mandatory Minimums – First Offense.
1. Gross Misdemeanor. Any person who is convicted of any gross misdemeanor criminal street gang-related offense, in addition to any fine imposed, shall be punished by imprisonment not to exceed 364 days, but not less than 10 days for a first offense. Any subsequent conviction is subject to the mandatory sentencing provisions of subsection (B) of this section.
2. Misdemeanor. Any person who is convicted of any misdemeanor criminal street gang-related offense shall be punished by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, but not less than two days. Any subsequent conviction is subject to the mandatory sentencing provisions of subsection (B) of this section.
B. Mandatory Minimums – Subsequent Offenses.
1. Second Offense. In addition to any fine imposed, upon conviction of any second criminal street gang-related offense unless otherwise specifically provided in any section, the violator shall be imprisoned for not less than 30 days for a gross misdemeanor and not less than 10 days for a misdemeanor.
2. Third and Subsequent Offense. In addition to any fine imposed, upon conviction of any third criminal street gang-related offense the violator shall be imprisoned not less than 180 days for a gross misdemeanor and not less than 45 days for a misdemeanor.
C. Other – Sentencing.
1. Where a State imposed mandatory minimum imposes a greater sentence, the State mandatory minimum shall control.
2. The imposition of a mandatory minimum sentence, pursuant to this chapter, shall not prevent the Court from setting appropriate probation conditions, such as, but not limited to, orders to stay away from certain locations, to complete appropriate treatment, to perform community restitution hours, and/or pay restitution to crime victims.
D. Application of Mandatory Minimum.
1. Following a finding of guilt for a criminal offense by a judge or jury, if the sentencing judge determines that the crime(s) is a criminal street gang-related offense, the mandatory minimum shall be imposed.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sentencing judge may refuse to impose the mandatory minimum jail sentence prescribed in this chapter, in an extraordinary case where the interests of justice would best be served by a different disposition. The sentencing judge shall enumerate on the record the reasons for any deviation from the mandatory minimum sentence. [Ord. 2022-25 § 37, 2022; Ord. 2193 § 2, 2008.]
9.36.050 Juvenile offenders.
Notwithstanding the sentencing provisions stated in SMC 9.36.030 and 9.36.040, any juvenile convicted of any gross misdemeanor offense under this chapter shall be subject to the sentencing requirements of the Juvenile Court pursuant to RCW Title 13 as such now exist or are hereafter amended, in lieu of the penalties set forth in SMC 9.36.030 and 9.36.040. [Ord. 2193 § 2, 2008.]
9.36.060 Powers of law enforcement officers not limited.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in any way to limit the power or right of a law enforcement officer to make any investigation, detention or arrest as such law enforcement officer would be permitted to make in absence of this chapter. [Ord. 2193 § 2, 2008.]
9.36.070 Severability.
If any part or provision of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter, including the application of that part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this chapter are severable. [Ord. 2193 § 2, 2008.]
9.36.080 Adoption by reference includes subsequent amendments.
All RCW sections referred to in this chapter shall include the current version and any subsequent amendments thereto. [Ord. 2193 § 2, 2008.]