San Marcos Chamber Takes Formal Stance On Cite & Release Ordinance

On Tuesday, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce took a formal stance on the proposed Cite and Release ordinance under consideration by the city council. 

On April 7, 2020, San Marcos City Council members passed the first of two readings on an ordinance regarding arrests and citations.

The chamber’s formal stance can be read below. 

The San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce has reviewed the proposed ordinance and believes it could negatively impact small businesses.

“We believe items six and seven on the list of offenses would be extremely detrimental to local small business and the community in San Marcos,” said San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jason Mock.

Item six and seven states that rather than arrest, in appropriate circumstances, for individuals suspected of committing (6) theft of property or (7) theft of services, both Class B misdemeanors, San Marcos police officers will use the cite and release process.

“The same individual could continue to steal tangible or intangible items of property or services valued under $750 and be cited and released for each repeat offense,” said Mock. “The chamber does not support the ordinance as written as it will not allow the San Marcos Police Department to support and protect our local businesses.”

The San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, along with its business members, strongly request and encourage the San Marcos City Council to NOT approve the Cite and Release Ordinance, but rather consider it as a Resolution.

Furthermore, we are also very concerned that Dr. Jocabed Marquez, who announced her resignation last month, will be allowed to vote on an issue that will continue to greatly impact the community after she is no longer living in San Marcos.

There are many examples in the past where decisions on major issues were deferred until newly-elected council members were sworn in to service.

In all fairness to the whole San Marcos community, the Cite and Release decision should be postponed until a new city council member is elected.