PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County commissioners will hear from the public on Nov. 6 on new proposals to create no-shoot zones in the county.
Signatures of 10 residents are now needed to begin the process of declaring such a zone in unincorporated areas.
Instead, 25 percent of the registered voters in the proposed no-shoot zone would be required under proposed amendments that will be discussed at a public hearing, scheduled for Nov. 6 at 10:05 a.m. in the commissioners’ chambers on the ground floor of the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
The proposed amendments also give the county sheriff and county commissioners the authority to start the public process for a no-shoot zone, which they currently don’t have.
Also, county departments can request consideration of a no-shoot zone if density in an area is “significant enough” and if county facilities or property are at risk from shooting.
An area of up to 500 feet from county offices or facilities may be considered, says the proposed amendments.
Such zone designations give law-enforcers greater latitude in controlling shooting, particularly in residential areas by people from elsewhere.
The county commissioners ultimately decide whether to establish a no-shoot zone and what the boundaries are.
