MARYSVILLE – Areas near Smokey Point have been designated a Stay Out of Drug Area by the City Council.

The Arlington City Council recently designated an area in Smokey Point as a SODA site.

“Our residents and businesses are fed up with seeing drug-related behavior,” Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said. “Marysville continues to take an aggressive stance against drug trafficking and associated crimes, and this is one way to do that.”

Under the designation, people convicted of drug crimes that occurred within the SODA area may be prohibited for two years from returning there. Municipal court judges have the discretion to impose SODA orders, often upon recommendation of police and prosecutors. If police later see a person with a SODA order in that designated area, they can arrest the individual for violating the order.

Since 2015 police have documented nearly 300 drug-related incidents within the new SODA boundaries plus more than 600 thefts and nearly 400 nuisance and trespass incidents commonly associated with drug-related behavior. “The newly enacted northern SODA area supplements the police department’s ongoing proactive policing measures to address drug-related criminal activity as part of our rigorous enforcement strategy,” Police Chief Rick Smith said. Marysville’s new SODA area is adjacent to one adopted by Arlington in August. Together, they encompass the Smokey Point, Lakewood and Twin Lakes business and residential neighborhoods surrounding Interstate 5.

Marysville enacted a SODA area in the southern downtown business area in 2012 to deter drug-related criminal activity.

“This is one more tool for police to keep drug trafficking in check,” City Attorney Jon Walker said as the council approved the action Oct. 9.