Resolution 14-124 Support of the Addition of Port and Harbor Employees to the List of Employees Covered by AS 12.55.135

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

City Manager/

Port and Harbor Director

RESOLUTION 14-124

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, IN SUPPORT OF THE ADDITION OF PORT AND HARBOR EMPLOYEES TO THE LIST OF EMPLOYEES COVERED BY AS 12.55.135.

WHEREAS, Alaska Statute AS 12.55.135, Sentences of Imprisonment for Misdemeanors, establishes minimum terms of imprisonment for defendants convicted of assaulting or harassing uniformed or otherwise clearly identified peace officers, fire fighters, correctional employees, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, ambulance attendants or other emergency responders or medical professionals; and

WHEREAS, Port and Harbor employees in communities throughout the State of Alaska routinely perform enforcement and emergency response duties commensurate with those performed by peace officers, fire fighters, correctional employees, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, ambulance attendants, or other emergency responders or medical professionals; and

WHEREAS, Defendants convicted of assaulting or harassing port and harbor employees in several recent cases have received sentences well below the minimums established in AS 12.55.135 for defendants convicted of assaulting or harassing uniformed or otherwise clearly identified peace officers, fire fighters, correctional employees, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, ambulance attendants, or other emergency responders or medical professionals; and

WHEREAS, The Alaska Association of Harbormaster and Port Administrators desires to strengthen the deterrent to unlawfully assault or harass port and harbor employees throughout the State of Alaska.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Homer, Alaska, by this Resolution, supports the addition of port and harbor employees to the list of employees covered by Alaska Statute 12.55.135, Sentences of Imprisonment for Misdemeanors, which establishes minimum terms of imprisonment for defendants convicted of assaulting or harassing uniformed or otherwise clearly identified peace officers, fire fighters, correctional employees, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, ambulance attendants, or other emergency responders or medical professionals.

PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Council of Homer, Alaska this 8th day of December, 2014.

CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                                         ____________________

                                                                                                         MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

___________________________

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A