{"id":2170038,"date":"2024-02-07T09:22:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T14:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gress-bill-aims-to-crack-down-on-drug-enforcement-in-homeless-service-areas\/"},"modified":"2024-02-07T09:26:37","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T14:26:37","slug":"gress-bill-aims-to-crack-down-on-drug-enforcement-in-homeless-service-areas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gress-bill-aims-to-crack-down-on-drug-enforcement-in-homeless-service-areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Gress bill targets drug enforcement in homeless areas"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgress-bill-aims-to-crack-down-on-drug-enforcement-in-homeless-service-areas%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2170038&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Arizona Lawmaker Aims to Combat Drug-Related Crime in \u200cHomeless Service Zones<\/h2>\n<p>As Arizona grapples with homelessness issues, Representative Matt Gress \u200dof\u200d Phoenix \u200cis taking action\u200c to \u2062crack\u2064 down \u200bon drug-related crime in\u200d areas where homeless\u200d individuals typically gather.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>House\u200c Bill 2782 proposes making it illegal to sell\u2062 or transfer dangerous drugs or narcotic drugs in \u2063a\u200b homeless service zone. Additionally, it would increase the minimum and maximum sentence for drug dealing by one year if it occurs in one of these &#8220;drug-free&#8221; zones. Those convicted\u200d would also face a minimum fine of $2,000.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Gress emphasized the importance of this legislation in\u2062 reducing chronic\u200c homelessness and drug-related crime\u2064 while ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations in Arizona.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;By establishing \u200caccountability within homeless service\u2064 zones, we can protect our communities from drug-related crime and\u2064 provide a structured and supportive environment \u200bfor our homeless population to rebuild their \u2062lives,&#8221; Gress stated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The bill defines these zones as areas within \u200b300 feet of a facility or\u2064 its accompanying grounds where homeless services, \u2062including\u200c temporary housing, are \u200dprovided. It also mandates that these providers display signs\u2062 indicating that the area is drug-free.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Our aim is to enhance \u2062the quality of\u200b life \u200din these zones, making them safe and conducive to rehabilitation\u200d and support services,&#8221; added the Republican representative. &#8220;Ultimately, we want to address the root causes of\u200b homelessness, leading to safer and\u2063 healthier communities across Arizona.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The legislation is co-sponsored by Republican\u2062 Representatives Selina Bliss, \u200bLupe Diaz, David Livingston, and \u2063Julie \u200cWilloughby.<\/p>\n<p>In March 2023,\u200d Arizona \u200dranked \u200beighth in \u200bthe nation for homelessness, according \u200dto LendingTree.<\/p>\n<p>Concerns about Arizona&#8217;s \u2064homelessness issue gained national attention\u2063 when \u2063the city of Phoenix cleared out &#8220;The Zone,&#8221; a\u200b large homeless encampment\u200c near the state \u200ccapitol. The New\u200d York Times reported that \u2063there were concerns about illicit drug activity in the encampment.<\/p>\n<p>This is not the first time\u200c Gress has addressed the state&#8217;s homelessness problems. He previously led a House \u2064of\u2063 Representatives hearing\u200c in Scottsdale, where he and other lawmakers questioned Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega\u2063 about a\u200b hotel program for homeless \u200cindividuals.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Gress emphasized that homelessness\u2064 is not only a humanitarian crisis but also \u200ca public safety crisis, as many individuals on the streets are struggling \u200cwith \u200caddiction\u200c and\u200d mental health issues.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What specific measures does \u200dGress propose in\u2064 the bill to deter drug dealers from \u2063operating in homeless \u2063service zones?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  E protecting the vulnerable population in \u200chomeless service zones. He \u2064believes that by implementing stricter laws and\u2064 harsher \u2062penalties, the state can deter drug dealers from operating\u200b in these areas, ultimately\u200d creating safer environments for both homeless individuals and\u200b the wider community.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed House Bill 2782 aims\u200b to specifically target drug-related activities in \u2063homeless service zones. These \u2063zones are designated areas\u200b where various\u2062 organizations provide services and support\u200d to individuals experiencing homelessness. Unfortunately, \u200cthese zones \u200bhave also become hotspots \u2064for drug-related crime, which poses a significant challenge to both law enforcement and\u2063 the well-being of\u2064 those seeking assistance.<\/p>\n<p>If passed, this legislation \u200dwould make \u200bit illegal to sell or transfer dangerous drugs or narcotic drugs within\u2062 a homeless service zone. By specifically addressing drug-related crimes in these areas, Gress hopes to improve the \u2062overall safety and \u2063security of\u200b homeless individuals who rely on these\u2063 service zones \u2063for \u2063support.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the \u2062proposed bill seeks to increase \u2062the \u200bminimum and maximum sentencing for drug dealing by one year if it occurs in a homeless service zone. This\u200b serves as a deterrent, sending a strong message to potential offenders that drug-related activities will not be \u2062tolerated in areas\u200c designated for homeless assistance. Gress believes that\u200c this increased punishment will dissuade drug dealers from targeting the vulnerable population\u200c in these\u2063 zones, ultimately reducing\u200b drug-related crime.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, those convicted under this new law would\u2062 be subject to a minimum fine of $2,000. This financial penalty acts as an additional \u2063deterrent, imposing a significant cost \u2064on individuals involved in drug-related activities. Gress hopes that the combination of stricter \u200dsentencing and hefty fines will effectively deter drug dealers from operating\u200d in homeless service zones, thus creating a safer environment \u2063for all.<\/p>\n<p>Gress acknowledges that the \u200cproposed \u2062legislation is not\u2062 a standalone solution to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dea-seizes-narcotics-including-crack-cocaine-and-fentanyl-at-bronx-pizzeria\/\" title=\"DEA confiscates crack cocaine and fentanyl at Bronx pizzeria.\">combating drug-related crime<\/a> and homelessness, but\u200c it serves as an \u200dessential step in the right direction. He emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted approach, including increased access\u200d to mental health services, affordable\u2063 housing initiatives, and educational \u2062programs aimed at preventing drug addiction.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, Representative Matt Gress&#8217;s proposed House Bill 2782 aims to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-democrats-move-to-undo-part-of-unpopular-drug-decriminalization-law\/\" title=\"Oregon Democrats seek to reverse part of controversial drug decriminalization law\">combat drug-related crime<\/a> within homeless service zones \u2063in\u2064 Arizona. \u2062By imposing stricter laws, harsher penalties, and \u2063hefty fines,\u200b Gress hopes\u200d to deter\u2062 drug dealers from targeting vulnerable individuals seeking assistance. This legislation, \u2063alongside\u200b comprehensive efforts to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-rep-mo-brooks-mass-shootings-caused-by-declines-in-moral-values-respect-for-human-life\/\" title=\"GOP Rep. Mo Brooks: Mass Shootings Caused By Declines In \u2018Moral Values,\u2019 \u2018Respect For Human Life\u2019\">address mental health issues<\/a> and housing needs, \u200bcould contribute to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-passes-bill-that-would-make-fentanyl-a-schedule-i-drug\/\" title=\"Fentanyl could become a Schedule I drug as House passes bill.\">reducing drug-related crime<\/a>\u2064 and improving the lives \u200bof the homeless population in Arizona.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Arizona tackles homelessness, Rep. Matt Gress aims to combat drug-related crime in areas where homeless gather. House Bill 2782 proposes banning drug sales in homeless service zones, with stricter penalties<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2846,"featured_media":2170039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AP23273008697169.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2170038","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AP23273008697169.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2170038","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2846"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2170038"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2170038\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2170039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2170038"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2170038"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2170038"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}