This chapter shall be known as the Police Fee Ordinance.
(Ord. 1348 § 2, 1990; Ord. 1369 § 1, 1991)
There is hereby imposed upon each person described in Section 3.30.040 a fee for extraordinary police services, computed in accordance with Section 3.30.050, rendered during the period or periods determined in accordance with Section 3.30.030.
(Ord. 1348 § 2, 1990)
The fees imposed by Section 3.30.020 shall apply only during those times when, by reason of large assemblage of people within the city, or by reason of other circumstances which create unusual demands upon police services, the usual and normal hours of work of police personnel, or the usual and normal levels of staffing of the police department, or either of them, are insufficient to meet the demand for police services within the city. Such periods shall include, but not be limited to, the period each year beginning approximately sixteen days prior, and ending seven days after, Easter Sunday, known generally as "spring break." The city manager is authorized to determine the existence of such circumstances, and to declare such fees to be in effect. Except for the spring break period, no such fees shall be charged during the period commencing 16 days prior to Easter Sunday and ending seven days after Easter Sunday, unless the city manager shall declare some other or different period for the imposition of such fees.
(Ord. 1348 § 2, 1990)
The fee described in Section 3.30.020 shall be computed on the basis of actual cost to the city of the police activity, transportation, booking, incarceration, feeding and processing of the person against whom the fee is charged. Such fee shall be computed in the same manner as other city fees and charges, and shall be included within the comprehensive fee schedule of the city.
(Ord. 1348 § 2, 1990)
The fee described in Section 3.30.020 shall constitute a debt owed to the city by the person against whom the fee is charged. Said fee is civil in nature, and shall not be construed to be a criminal penalty or fine.
(Ord. 1348 § 2, 1990)
The director of finance shall have the duty to collect said
fee, using such resources as are reasonably available for that purpose.
It shall be within the discretion of the director of finance to assign
said fees to an agency or agencies other than the city for the purpose
of collection if such action shall appear to be less costly than use
of city personnel for said purpose.
(Ord. 1348 § 2, 1990)
A fee imposed pursuant to Section 3.30.020 and not paid within thirty days of the date upon which such fee was assessed shall be subject to a late charge of one percent per month until said fee shall be paid.
(Ord. 1348 § 2, 1990)
If any such fee shall be assigned to an attorney or other agency
for collection, the person owing such fee shall be subject to payment
of reasonable collection costs and attorneys fees in addition to such
fee and late charge.
(Ord. 1348 § 2, 1990)
(a)
When
a large party, gathering or event occurs on hotel or other private
property and a police officer at the scene determines that there is
threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare, the
person(s) responsible for the event will be held liable for the costs
of providing police services for the special security assignment during
a second response by police, after a first written warning, to control
the threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare.
The return or second call may also result in the arrest and/or citation
of violators of the state penal code or other local ordinances.
(b)
"Large party, gathering or event"
"Police services"
"Person responsible for event"
"Special security assignment"
For the purposes of Section 3.30.110, the following definitions shall apply:
is a group of persons who have assembled or are assembling
for a social occasion or for a social activity.
include the salaries of the police officers for the amount
of time actually spent in responding to or in remaining at the party,
gathering or event at a rate established by resolution of the city
council, the actual cost of any medical treatment to injured officers,
and the cost of repairing any damage to city equipment or property.
is the person who owns the property where the party, gathering
or event takes place, the person in charge of the premises, and/or
the person who organized the event. If the person responsible for
the event is a minor, then the parents or guardians of that minor
will be jointly and severally liable for the costs incurred for police
services.
is the assignment of police officers and services during
a second call to a location after the distribution of a written warning
that the party, gathering or event violates the law.
(Ord. 1369 § 2, 1991)
The police services fee, assessed pursuant to Section 3.30.100, shall include the cost of personnel and equipment but shall not exceed five hundred dollars for a single incident.
The city does not waive its right to seek reimbursement for
actual costs exceeding five hundred dollars through other legal remedies
or procedures.
The amount of such fees charged shall be deemed a debt to the
city of Palm Springs of the person or persons receiving such services
and, if minors, their parents or guardians. Any person owing money
shall be liable in any action brought in the name of the city for
the recovery of such amount, including reasonable attorney fees.
(Ord. 1369 § 2, 1991)
Information furnished and secured pursuant to this chapter shall
be confidential in character and shall not be subject to public inspection
and shall be kept so that the contents thereof shall not be known
except to persons charged with the administration of this chapter.
(Ord. 1369 § 2, 1991)
