Gang-related acts banned in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake code enforcement will begin issuing notices to property owners and tenants to cease gang activity where it's a reported problem.

The Moses Lake City Council adopted an ordinance allowing the city to take civil action against landlords and tenants who allow gang-related activity at their residences. The ordinance was adopted on the second reading making it official Tuesday.

Criminal street gangs and pattern street gang activity are declared a nuisance, according to the ordinance. Code enforcement will begin issuing notices ordering the tenants and landlords to cease gang-related activity. If they don't stop the activity they are fined $250 per day until they leave the residence or when the activity stops.

The law at the state level has already resulted in alleged gang members being removed from a residence in Moses Lake, Police Chief Dean Mitchell said. The alleged gang members moved to a new residence in the city and code enforcement will continue to take action as long as the activity continues.

A criminal street gang is defined as an ongoing group of three or more people with a common name and an identifying sign or symbol, according to Washington state law. The primary activities of the street gang include repeated criminal offenses. A gang-related offense includes felony or misdemeanor offenses benefiting and promoting the gang.

Reasons for committing a crime to benefit the gang include to gain admission, increase the gang's size and dominance, to get revenge or retribution for the gang, to obstruct law enforcement and to intimidate witnesses, according to the law.

Councilmember Bill Ecret motioned to approve the ordinance and Councilmember Brent Reese seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Councilmember Jon Lane and Councilmember James Liebrecht were absent from the meeting.