Local News in Brief : LOCAL LAWS of 1987 : Santa Monica

Among the strongest images of the year in Los Angeles County were those of furious smokers temporarily banned from Beverly Hills restaurants and a would-be gunman holding what turned out to be a toy gun on consumer reporter David Horowitz during a live broadcast. Both incidents spawned action by local authorities. Here’s a sampling of what local legislative boards decided during 1987.

DOGS--In January, the Santa Monica City Council voted to impose fines for people who allow their dogs to “commit nuisances” on public property.

PREGNANT--The Santa Monica City Council in March required distributors and sellers of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, to post signs warning of the dangers of alcohol to unborn babies.

TOY GUNS--In November, the Santa Monica City Council banned the sale of realistic-looking toy guns.

SLOW GROWTH--The City Council voted in September to limit construction in the Ocean Park area, an older section of Santa Monica whose revitalization had been one of city’s major redevelopment projects. In October, the council voted to limit construction of movie theaters to a downtown commercial zone.

HEALTH CLUBS--As of September, health clubs in Santa Monica were required to obtain police permits and health bonds before operating in city.

Compiling these laws were Times staff writers Greg Braxton, Gary Gorman, Scott Harris, Roxanna Kopetman, Julio Moran, Victor Merina, Mike Ward, and researcher Cecilia Rasmussen.