HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-13 - Eliminate Threat of Fentanyl in the CommunityRESOLUTION NO. 2022-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS BY THE COSTA MESA
POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ORANGE COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
TO ELIMINATE THE THREAT OF FENTANYL IN THE COMMUNITY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA HEREBY FINDS,
DETERMINES, AND DECLARES AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, the increasing prevalence of fentanyl poses a significant public health
and safety risk to Costa Mesa residents and Orange County communities; and
WHEREAS, nationwide drug -related deaths exceeded 100,000 between April
2020 and April 2021. Fentanyl is a significant contributing factor to this alarming statistic;
and
WHEREAS, Orange County fentanyl-related deaths increased from 37 in 2016 to
432 in 2020, an 1100% increase. In that same period, statewide fentanyl related deaths
increased from 239 to 3,857, an increase of over 1600%; and
WHEREAS, many of these deaths are the result of individuals and drug dealers
furnishing counterfeit pills containing illicit fentanyl. The person consuming is unaware of
the fentanyl presence; and
WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa Police Department continues its efforts to interdict
and seize illegal narcotics. During the period of 2018 to 2022, the Costa Mesa Police
Department's Special Investigation Unit seized 267.5 pounds of fentanyl and over 15,000
fentanyl-laced pills, and arrested numerous suspects identified in the manufacturing of
fentanyl pills. The total street value was approximately $2.5 million. These seizures
contained millions of potentially lethal doses and saved countless lives; and
WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa Police Department and other Orange County law
enforcement agencies have begun issuing advisements to anyone identified as furnishing
fentanyl to others. The advisement explains that fentanyl use is extremely dangerous to
human life and if the individual continues to furnish fentanyl to others and its use causes
the death of a person, the individual can be charged with homicide. The Orange County
District Attorney's Office has adopted a similar policy advising offenders convicted of
Resolution No. 2022-13 Page 1 of 4
certain drug -related charges that if they commit an additional drug -related crime again
and someone dies as a result, they can be charged with murder; and
WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa Police Department has partnered with the Drug
Enforcement Agency on its public awareness campaign, "One Pill Can Kill," to raise
awareness that pills obtained outside of a licensed pharmacy are illegal, dangerous, and
potentially deadly. This message is reiterated on the Costa Mesa Police Department's
social media pages. The Costa Mesa Police Department has also adopted a campaign
to inform local motels of the dangers fentanyl poses to their customers.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA
HEREBY RESOLVES that the City Council joins the Costa Mesa Police Department and
Orange County law enforcement agencies in committing to eliminate the threat of fentanyl
to our community. The City of Costa Mesa commits to devoting resources to the
interdiction of narcotics, holding drug traffickers accountable, and raising public
awareness about the dangers of drug use.
Resolution No. 2022-13 Page 2 of 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of March, 2022.
ohn Stephens, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Brenda Greed, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Kihiberly tqafl Barlow, City Attorney
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 2022-13 and was duly
passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting
held on the 151h day of March, 2022, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: CHAVEZ, GAMEROS, HARLAN, REYNOLDS, MARR,
AND STEPHENS.
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE.
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: HARPER.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the
City of Costa Mesa this 16th day of March, 2022.
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Brenda GreeU, City Clerk
Resolution No. 2022-13 Page 3 of 3