The Council finds that public nuisances exist in the City of
Mount Vernon in the operation of certain establishments and the use
of property in flagrant violation of the penal laws relating to prostitution,
gambling, controlled substances, dangerous drugs, stolen property
and laws relating to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages,
all of which substantially and seriously interfere with the interest
of the public in the quality of life and total community environment,
commerce in the City, property values and the public health, safety
and welfare. The Council furthers finds that the continued occurrence
of such activities and violations is detrimental to the health, safety
and welfare of the people of the City of Mount Vernon and of the businesses
thereof and the visitors thereto. It is the purpose of the Council
to authorize and empower the Commissioner of Public Safety to impose
sanctions and penalties for such public nuisances, and such powers
of the Commissioner of Public Safety may be exercised either in conjunction
with or apart from other laws without prejudice to the use of procedures
and remedies available under such laws. The Council further finds
that the sanctions and penalties imposed by the Commissioner of Public
Safety pursuant to this article constitute an additional and appropriate
method of law enforcement in response to the proliferation of the
above-described public nuisances. The sanctions and penalties are
reasonable and necessary in order to protect the health and safety
of the people of the City and to promote the general welfare.