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SAN DIEGO… A DRINKING TOWN WITH A BEACH PROBLEM. AUGUST 13, 2009. Alcohol on City Beaches. Threatened public safety Drained and diverted limited law enforcement resources from other communities Created a magnet for underage and binge drinking Damaged the City’s reputation.
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SAN DIEGO… A DRINKING TOWN WITH A BEACH PROBLEM AUGUST 13, 2009
Alcohol on City Beaches • Threatened public safety • Drained and diverted limited law enforcement resources from other communities • Created a magnet for underage and binge drinking • Damaged the City’s reputation
Alcohol-Related Crimes Directly Impact Public Safety • Public Drunkenness • Drunk Drivers, Hit and Runs, Vehicle-Related Deaths • Underage Drinking • Other Illegal and Criminal Behavior • Assaults • Sexual Crimes • Public Urination • Open Container • Vandalism & Graffiti
Draining and DivertingLimited Resources • Police allocated 13,140 officer-hours to Pacific Beach in 2006. But police used about 33,600 hours to respond to calls in that area. • When police are babysitting beach drunks, they can’t patrol other neighborhoods in the city. No matter where you live – that’s not fair! • With alcohol-free beaches in 2008 police response times improved by 7.4% citywide and by 12% (one full minute) in the beach areas. Source: 2006 Police Out-of-Service Hours
Drinking games Get drunk faster Easy access for minors City Beaches Created a Magnet for Binge and Underage Drinking
Labor Day Riot • 7 of 15 arrested were underage • Police response was by-the-book • 70 police; 40 Mobile Field Force in riot gear • National media exposure • Was not an isolated incident
High Year-Round Alcohol-Related Crime • 34x citywide averageMission Beach and Mission Bay • 26x averageCoastal Pacific Beach • 11x averageOcean Beach Source: San Diego Police: Arrests and Citations Beaches Service Area 2005 Policing Beach Communities February 24, 2007 Captain Boyd Long
Most City Parks are Alcohol-Free • Most City neighborhood parks are alcohol-free in order to prevent and reduce alcohol-related crimes. • When all city beaches are alcohol-free problems are not pushed from one beach to another.
Comparable Beach Communities were Alcohol-Free • Nearly every large urban city beach in Southern California has been alcohol-free for years. • Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach, and Hawaii
CAMPAIGN FOR ALCOHOL-FREE BEACHES This wasn’t our first rodeo APR 1991: Alcohol ordinance goes into effect for a few hours, but suspended upon presentation of referendum signatures. APR 2001: City Council approves 18-month trial ban at some beaches. Opponents forced a compromise—Proposition G, which was defeated in March 2002 MAR 2002: Proposition G defeated by a narrow margin. SEP 2007: Labor Day riot brings national attention to beach alcohol issues.
Beyond Community Meetings • Mañas • Old Town Saturday Market • Recovery Happens • Rotary Club • Soup Plantation • Surfrider Foundation • Trader Joes • Walmart – Lemon Grove • Walmart – Murphy Canyon • Whole Foods • Young Republicans • Beach Cleanup • Casa de Las Compañas • Catfish Club • Elks Club • Farmer’s Market – City Heights • Farmer’s Market – Hillcrest • Farmer’s Market – Ocean Beach • Foot of PB Drive • Henry’s Market • Kiwanis – Allied Gardens • La Jolla Democratic Club
Positive Changes for Police and Lifeguards The police and lifeguards report fewer problems. Now when police arrest a rowdy drunk, they get applause rather than a beer can in their face. Lifeguards have returned to their primary focus, water safety. Police and emergency responder resources are no longer being diverted from other communities to the beach. Community members report faster response times to their calls for service
What Police are Saying about Alcohol-Free Beaches San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne: “It’s a lot easier for me to police. It was dramatic this holiday (Fourth of July). In fact, for the first time in a decade, we let officers go home because we didn’t need as many.” KUSI News, July 29, 2008 San Diego Police Lieutenant David Nisleit:"I'm down there at the beach on a weekly basis, and I've had hundreds of people tell me that it is more family-friendly, there's less trash and there's a more easygoing attitude out there.” Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2008
What Lifeguards are Saying San Diego Lifeguard Sergeant Rick Strobel: “There is not one segment of the beach population that is standing out, creating a disturbance, as was the case last summer, due to alcohol.” KPBS “These Days,” July 21, 2008 San Diego Lifeguard Sergeant Darrell Esparza: "We have had a lot more families coming out to the beach, so there are more kids in the water. Alcohol-related injuries have gone way down, and people aren't afraid to walk down the boardwalk anymore. It is a safer environment for my lifeguards and the public." Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2008
Fewer Minors are Drinking on City Beaches • When young people are surrounded by drinkers and by drinking games, they are more likely to drink. • Minor in possession of alcohol arrests are down by a whopping 51.2% in the beach areas since the adoption of the alcohol-free beach rule.
Alcohol-Free Beaches are Safer, Friendlier and Cleaner • Parents, children, singles and tourists are finding beaches safer and friendlier. • Many who had avoided the beach or who chose nearby alcohol-free beaches are returning. • Beaches are cleaner because sober beach visitors are picking up after themselves.
