District attorney announces stricter St. Patrick’s Day enforcement
City of San Luis Obispo has established a ‘safety enhancement zone,’ during which all laws will be strictly enforced, and fines will be doubled
– San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced that the District Attorney’s Office will not offer pre-filing misdemeanor diversion to anyone charged with a misdemeanor stemming from criminal conduct during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in San Luis Obispo.
Pre-filing misdemeanor diversion is a program that allows individuals charged with certain misdemeanor offenses to avoid formal criminal prosecution by completing conditions such as community service, education, or counseling. Upon successful completion of these conditions, the charges may be dismissed, and the individual may not have a criminal conviction. However, the District Attorney’s Office has stated that those charged with crimes related to the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will not be eligible for this program.
The District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the City of San Luis Obispo Police Department, encourages students, visitors, and residents to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly, particularly around the Cal Poly campus. The office stated that criminal law violations will be pursued to ensure community safety and justice.
The City of San Luis Obispo has established a “safety enhancement zone,” during which all laws will be strictly enforced, and fines will be doubled. The city also announced that street parties, which have been common in recent years, will not be allowed this year.
The District Attorney’s Office further confirmed that the pre-filing Misdemeanor Diversion Program will not be available to individuals charged with crimes during the safety enhancement zone, which will be in effect from March 14-18.
The safety enhancement zone will be active from March 14 to March 18, as detailed in a release from the City of San Luis Obispo.
Participants are reminded that all fines will be doubled during this time, and any related misdemeanor violations will not be eligible for the District Attorney’s Misdemeanor Diversion Program.
For more information about the safety enhancement zone, visit www.respectslo.com.
