LANCASTER STATION
UNIT ORDER #76
BUSINESS SHOPLIFTING CALLS AND THE USE OF LMC 9.48.050
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this unit order is to establish procedures for handling shoplifting/theft calls (916B), at businesses within the City of Lancaster and enforcing Lancaster City Ordinance 9.48.050(a) and 9.48.050(c).
ORDER:
In October of 2015, the City of Lancaster introduced Lancaster City Ordinance 9.48.050. This ordinance covers enforcement of loud parties and other crimes such as shoplifting and theft. The ordinance allows suspect(s) cited for violations under 9.48.50 LMC to be civilly prosecuted by the City of Lancaster. Refer to Unit Order #74 for the use of administrative citations for loud party calls.
Lancaster City Ordinance 9.48.050 allows businesses within the City of Lancaster to issue administrative citations to suspects arrested for shoplifting, 9.48.050(a) LMC, or theft, 9.48.050(c) LMC. If the business elects to issue an administrative citation for the above violations, deputy personnel will not be dispatched to the business.
Deputy personnel who are dispatched to a business regarding a 916B call, shall determine what crime has occurred and arrest suspect(s) for the appropriate Penal Code section. Deputy personnel will not issue City of Lancaster administrative citations if a suspect is arrested for shoplifting or theft. If deputy personnel issue a citation under the appropriate Penal Code, it shall be completed on a LASD notice to appear citation.
Businesses within the City of Lancaster are only authorized to issue administrative citations under 9.48.050(a) LMC and 9.48.050(c) LMC. 916B calls for service in unincorporated areas shall be handled as usual and issuing an administrative citation is not authorized for deputy personnel.
Deputies arresting suspect(s) for Proposition 47 related crimes, or Proposition 47 related arrest warrants, shall book said suspect(s). Suspect(s) will be booked, Livescanned, and their Criminal History checked to determine if a previous conviction could make the current arrest a felony.