TRUSTEES CONSIDER OUTLAWING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND TEEN TOBACCO POSSESSION

Because more and more traffic stops in Shorewood turn up drug paraphernalia
and because statistics show a rise in teen smoking, the Shorewood Village
Board is considering the approval of two local ordinances targeting both
problems.

Shorewood police spot a variety of instruments used in drug activity during
traffic stops, especially paraphernalia used for smoking cannabis, Police
Chief Robert Puleo said.

The board is expected to pass an ordinance outlawing the possession of such
equipment at its Jan. 23 meeting.

Currently, those in possession of drug paraphernalia are reported to the
already swamped Will County State's Attorney's office.

Handling the cases of possession of drug paraphernalia locally will give
police and judges more leeway in dispensing penalties.

"It will help us handle it better if we use our local courts and attorney's
office," Puleo said.

The ordinance would allow police to use their judgment in determining
whether to charge a person with violating a state law or a local ordinance.

Being charged under the ordinance will mean no jail time for first-time
offenders, and younger or less serious violators.

A local ordinance violation may also be expunged from a defendant's record
at the judge's discretion.

Based on the number of arrests made, drug use is on the rise in the
Shorewood area, Puleo said.

"There is a lot out there; it is really prevalent," Puleo said. "It seems
marijuana use is up, at least it seems to be, because our drug arrests are
on the rise."

Puleo points to the increased use of the department's canine unit as one
factor for the increase in arrests.

"The canine unit may be part of the reason because we are finding stuff we
missed before," he said.

The ordinance includes an exhaustive list of items that will be disallowed,
ranging from pipes to needles and certain containers.

"It covers all items we know exist as drug paraphernalia," Puleo said.

Those found in possession of drug paraphernalia can be fined up to $500.
Individuals can be charged even if the equipment is not in use or does not
contain illegal substances.

The ordinance also includes a penalty for adults delivering drug
paraphernalia to minors who are at least three years their junior.

Those individuals convicted of delivering drug equipment can be fined
between $250 to $750.

Retailers would also be restricted from selling drug paraphernalia, Puleo said.

The second ordinance being considered targets minors in possession of
cigarettes. The current Illinois law prohibits the sale of tobacco to
minors but does not fine minors for possession.

The local ordinance goes one step further and fines minors for possession
of tobacco, Puleo said. It is also expected to be approved on Jan. 23.

Minors caught with tobacco products will be fined up to $500.

A similar ordinance failed to pass five years ago. At the time, Trustee
Rick Chapman said the ordinance was an unnecessary intrusion on the
liberties of Shorewood residents. He noted parents should handle the
situation, not law officers.

Since then, the lifelong smoker has changed his mind.

"Five years later I'm thinking maybe parents need all the help they can get
(in stopping their children from smoking)," he said. "I smoke myself and I
wish I never picked one up. ... If it can save one lung, I would say it's a
good idea."

Plainfield, Minooka and Channahon have already begun to fine minors caught
with tobacco products, Puleo said.

While Shorewood does not have a high school, youth in possession of tobacco
products is still a common occurrence, he said.

"There is no doubt more kids are using tobacco at a much earlier age than
before," he said.