Res 32-81 RESOLUTION NO. 32-81
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DELRAY
BEACH, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE EVER-INCREASING
CRIME RATE AND IN PARTICULAR THE RAPID INCREASE'OF VIOLENT
CRIMES AND RECOMMENDING CHANGES IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM IN ORDER TO MORE EFFECTIVELY COMBAT THE INCREASED
CRIME RATE.
WHEREAS, each year's crime statistics indicate a continuing and
ever-increasing percentage of crime and in particular violent crimes with
each passing year; and,
WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of Florida no longer maintain
the same respect for the Florida Justice System that. they did in the past
and many of the citizens of the State live in fear of being victims of
crime; and,
WHEREAS, the criminal element apparently has no respect or fear
of the Florida Justice System and that System has over a period of time
been subject to substantial reformation without due regard being given as
to the affect of those reforms on the increasing crime rate; and,
WHEREAS, the ~City Council of the City of Delray Beach, Florida,
feels that the adoption of legislation to accomplish the following would
be a great help-in, controlling crime in the State of Florida, and recom-
mends the adoption of statutes or the amendment of statutes to accomplish
the following:
1. Permit the names and addresses of juvenile offenders to
be published in the news media.
2. That the responsibility for criminal activity be placed
squarely upon the convicted individuals and that they be
held responsible for all costs associated with the crime.
including compensation to victims. . ? '-~ .~
3. That the parent or parents of a juvenile be held'reSpon-
sible for all costs associated with a crime committed by
such juvenile including compensation to victims and if
the amount of such~claim is not paid in six (6) months,
that legislation authorize a lien to be placed against
any assets of such parent or parents including real
property.
4. That plea bargaining be eliminated for any individual
who has previously been convicted of a felony.
5. That a mandatory jail sentence be required for any
individual convicted of committing a crime with a fire-
arm and that the courts be required to impose such a
sentence.
6. That a constitutional amendment be adopted permitting
those cities which have a population of more than 20,000
to establish city courts and/or magistrate courts with
jurisdiction over violations of the City Code and/or
misdemeanors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That a'certified copy of this Resolution ~ fo~arded
to the members of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, to-wit:
Representative James Watt, Representative Eleanor Weinstock, Representa-
tive Ray Liberti, Representative Fra~ Messersmith, Representative Bernard
Kimmel, Representative Reid Moore, Jr., Representative William J. ~ers,
Senator Har~ A. Johnston, Senator Tom Lewis, Senator Donnell Childers,
Senator Bill Stevens, Senator Van Poole and Senator James Scott.
Section 2. That this Resolution shall take effect i~ediately
upon its passage,
PASSED ~D ~OPTED in regular session on this the 28th day of
~pr~l , 1981.
MAYOR
ATTEST: ~ON M. ~E~S
-2- Res. NO. 32-81