Council Panel Rejects Citywide Drinking Ban

Despite graphic descriptions of the problems that public drinking has caused in beach neighborhoods, a City Council committee voted unanimously Wednesday not to expand the drinking ban to include all city beaches or public places citywide.

Councilwoman Judy McCarty proposed a comprehensive citywide ordinance prohibiting consumption of alcoholic beverages on all public property--a ban now in force downtown, in most Mission Bay and beach parking lots, and in other problem spots. Under her proposal, all city beaches, parks, sidewalks, streets and parking lots would be off-limits for consumption of alcoholic beverages.

However, Councilmen Bill Cleator balked at imposing an overall ban on beaches or citywide until other San Diegans besides beachfront residents have a chance to have their say. He suggested altering McCarty’s proposed no-drinking ordinance to call for enforcement only during summer months or after sunset.

Enforcement Would Give Police ‘Image Problem’

Police Cmdr. J.L. Kennedy told members of the Public Services and Safety Committee that the police would not be able to enforce a citywide drinking ban, adding that enforcement of such a measure would give police an “image problem” with the public.

He said that a survey of the city had identified several areas where excessive drinking causes police problems, including Chicano Park and the San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium parking lot.

McCarty argued that, to limit the drinking ban only to certain beach areas would “simply move the problem somewhere else,” and stressed that a comprehensive drinking ban would give the police authority to control excessive drinking without impinging on the rights of residents who were not abusing alcohol.

The committee, by a 4-0 vote, asked the city manager and city attorney to look into possible compromises to a comprehensive drinking ban that would satisfy beach residents who complained of the all-night parties, vandalism and lewd acts that occur during beach parties near their homes.