Public Safety Committee

COLUMBIA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023 CALL TO ORDER The Columbia Public Safety Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at City Hall, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina. The Honorable Howard E. Duvall, Jr. called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Howard E. Duvall Chair Present Tina N. Herbert Member Present Peter M. Brown Member Present COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Ordinance No.: 2023-081 - Amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, South Carolina, Chapter 14, Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, to add Article XII, Drug Paraphernalia Councilor Duvall recalled that Council had first reading of this ordinance on July 18, 2023 and referred it to the Public Safety Committee to review. We removed needles at the request of a state agency. I was concerned that the definitions were overly broad but they are straight out of state law. These things can be sold but it becomes illegal when you put a controlled substance with it. We are using the same intent of state law to make a city ordinance that carries no more than 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Section 14-352 lists 14 factors that can be considered by the officer when making a decision as to whether there is a violation of this ordinance. This is not an attack on convenience stores or vape shops. Mr. William "Skip" Holbrook, Columbia Police Chief reiterated that the instrument is not illegal unless it is used in conjunction with an illegal drug. Oftentimes, our emergent drug threats are overlooked. This is another tool that allows us to intercede when someone is using drugs on the street. We find drug paraphernalia in almost every fatal overdose we respond to. We typically find drug paraphernalia present when we are able to use Narcan® to reverse a drug overdose. There was a brief committee discussion regarding the innocence of an owner. There was consensus of the committee to endorse Ordinance No.: 2023-081 - Amending Chapter 14, Article XII, Drug Paraphernalia, as amended for City Council's consideration of second reading at today's Council Meeting. Page 1 of 2  COLUMBIA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 2 of 2

COLUMBIA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023 The Columbia Public Safety Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding the meeting. The Honorable Howard E. Duvall, Jr., At-Large  The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I The Honorable Peter M. Brown, District IV Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes. CALL TO ORDER COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Ordinance No.: 2023-081 - Amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, South Carolina, Chapter 14, Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, to add Article XII, Drug Paraphernalia ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1