Pubdate: Mon, 29 Dec 2008
Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
Copyright: 2008 Austin American-Statesman
Contact:  http://www.statesman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32
Author: Suzannah Gonzales

STAY AWAY ORDERS FOR REPEAT DRUG OFFENDERS IN NORTH AUSTIN

Officials hope the newly implemented tactic will help  tackle an 
intersection's long-standing problems with  crime.

In an effort to keep repeat criminals away from East  Rundberg Lane 
and Interstate 35, an area of North  Austin that has been a haven for 
drug dealers and  prostitutes and a source of neighbors' complaints, 
Austin police and Travis County district attorney's  officials have 
teamed up to start using "stay-away  orders" in the area.

While their criminal cases are pending and they're out  on bail, 
suspected drug offenders with stay-away orders  aren't allowed in the 
area. Violating the order could  land them back in jail, and their 
behavior would be  considered in assessing their sentences.

Stay-away orders are for those facing felony drug  charges, such as 
possession or delivery of a controlled  substance, said Austin senior 
patrol officer Michael  Youngs. They're for people with whom police 
have dealt  before, those with an arrest history, "those who have 
demonstrated that they will be back," he said.

"We need to keep out the people who caused (trouble) in  the first 
place," Youngs said.

Stay-away orders can be used for prostitution as well,  he said.

The concept has been used for four or five years in  Southeast Austin 
and downtown, officials said. No one  has violated the orders, 
Assistant District Attorney  Claire Dawson-Brown said.

A stay-away order helps not only a community but also  the person 
charged by keeping the person away from the  way of life, Dawson-Brown said.

Residents have organized marches and tried to clean up  the area 
around Rundberg and I-35, which police say has  been a problem area 
for drugs and prostitution for at  least 15 years. In January, 
residents asked city and  county officials for stay-away orders.

Phil Otken, acting president of the North Creek  Georgian Acres 
Neighborhood Association, which includes  businesses at Rundberg and 
I-35, said he is hopeful the  orders will work, but he'll wait to see.

"If we do a lot of work and no net result occurs - in  other words, 
there is no change in the neighborhood -  we have failed," he said.

The stay-away order is a condition for bail, Youngs  said. Offenders 
will receive a map showing the area  they must avoid. Off limits will 
be all businesses with  a driveway or opening on Rundberg from I-35 
to about  Barrington Elementary School, near Lamar Boulevard, 
and  vacant lots behind the businesses.

Officials have been ready to issue stay-away orders in  the area 
since last month, but none had been sought by  police as of Dec. 23.

"At any moment it could happen," Dawson-Brown said.  "Everyone's 
ready. Judges have been briefed. Just  waiting for the first one to 
come through."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom