EVERETT, Wash. — The city of Everett may soon expand its list of known drug areas to include a park and a high school.
Neighbors say Clark Park is a place where many come to buy and sell drugs, and police stats back up that concern.
The city council is now considering making the park and a good chunk of the neighborhood including Everett High School a “Stay Out of Drug Area” or “SODA.”
“The goal is there are certain parts of the city that are high drug trafficking areas, and if you have been charged with and convicted of a crime related to drug trafficking, then you are not permitted to go back into those areas,” said Hil Kaman, Public Health and Safety Director.
Currently all listed Everett Drug areas are stretches of street throughout the city. (current list here:
[ https://everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6021?fileID=34549 ]
However, if the city council adds the area around Clark Park and Everett High School to the list, Kaman said it could make a real difference.
“SODA has been effective because once you have a SODA order against you, if you are in those areas, you are subject to immediate arrest,” Kaman said.
Everett police tweak the list of known drug areas every two years based on crime stats.
The city council will look at the new and old SODA areas during their meeting Wednesday.