DA to enforce stricter penalties during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations
Safety Enhancement Zone doubles fines in San Luis Obispo March 6–18
– The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office announced it will not offer pre-filing misdemeanor diversion to people charged with misdemeanors stemming from criminal conduct during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in San Luis Obispo.
District Attorney Dan Dow said the policy will apply for the second year in a row during St. Patrick’s Day, sometimes referred to as “St. Fratty’s Day,” celebrations in the city.
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, working with the San Luis Obispo Police Department, encouraged students, visitors, and residents to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly, particularly on and around the Cal Poly campus. Officials said criminal law violations will be pursued in compliance with the office’s mission to “bring justice and safety to our community by aggressively and fairly prosecuting crime and protecting the rights of crime victims.”
The city of San Luis Obispo has established a Safety Enhancement Zone during which all laws will be strictly enforced within the city and fines will be doubled. Officials said the street parties that have occurred in recent years will not be allowed.
The District Attorney’s Office said it will not offer its pre-filing misdemeanor diversion program to individuals alleged to have committed a crime related to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations during the Safety Enhancement Zone periods between March 6 and March 18.
Officials said all fines will be doubled during the public safety zone periods and related misdemeanor violations will not be eligible for the District Attorney’s misdemeanor diversion program.
More information about the Safety Enhancement Zone and additional city guidelines is available at www.respectslo.com.
