‘This Ban’s for You’ Brings Cheers, Jeers at Beach

Kurt Burris was standing on the sand at Ocean Beach, holding a beer in his hand. When he heard that drinking on the beach might be illegal as early as next month, he grimaced. He said, “You’re kidding.”

“This ban’s for you” is one piece of legislation Burris can do without. But it’s true: The San Diego City Council will soon be voting on a total ban on alcohol at city parks and beaches.

“I wouldn’t like it at all--in fact, I would hate it,” said Burris, 30, who lives in Pacific Beach. “They passed a law saying you can’t drink beer on the beach after 10 (p.m.), and that didn’t stop anybody. This won’t either. When will they learn? This won’t stop people from drinking. If that’s the goal, they better try another route.”

J. J. Cihouski, who, with his wife, Nora, lives in a stately home on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in Ocean Beach, favors the ban--unequivocally, passionately--but agrees with Burris that it probably won’t make a difference.

“People are going to drink no matter what,” Cihouski said, “and, they’re going to make noise and cause problems. Still, I think it’s a good idea, and I’m very much in favor of it.”

Cihouski’s viewpoint was echoed by other beachfront homeowners interviewed Thursday in Ocean Beach, whereas Burris’ views summed up the feelings of most beach-goers. One liquor store owner dependent on the business of beach lovers was adamantly opposed.

Just about everyone interviewed had heard about the vote taken by a City Council committee, which recommended--unanimously--that alcohol be banned year-round at all city beaches and parks.

The vote, by the five members of the Public Facilities and Recreation Committee, suggests that there is enough council support for passage when the issue comes before the nine-member council, probably next month.

The ban is aimed at complaints of public drunkenness, crime and noise that have come from representatives of beach communities in recent years. As a beachfront homeowner, Nora Cihouski is one of those who feels the ban should have come sooner.

“I remember this one evening, I guess it was 7 o’clock, when we heard this man screaming at the top of his lungs,” she said. “He was threatening to jump off the cliff, and he was falling-down drunk. We have trouble with rowdyism and crowds on occasion, especially in the summer. I don’t think a ban will solve the problem, but it has to help.”

Reaction to the proposed ban was swift at most City Council offices Thursday afternoon. A spokeswoman for Councilman Ron Roberts, whose district includes Ocean Beach, said Roberts’ office received 17 calls Thursday from people inquiring about the ban (some for it, others opposed). A spokeswoman for Councilman Bruce Henderson, whose district includes Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, said Henderson’s office received about 12 calls.

Jeffrey Smith, 38, a massage therapist who lives in Mission Hills, comes to the beach three to four times a week to play volleyball. Like many of those interviewed Thursday, he sees the sins of a few as having “ruined a good thing” for many.

“I really hate to see it happen here in Ocean Beach,” Smith said, “because OB has done a lot to clean itself up. The area has really improved. I think the majority of people who come here, volleyball players and surfers especially, are responsible.

“If they do ban it, here’s what will happen--20% of the people will stop drinking at the beach, and the other 80% will figure out a way to sneak it in.”

Duff Patterson, 33, who lives in Point Loma, said the ban on booze at the beach is further evidence that San Diego is now very much a big city. He, for one, reacts to that with sadness.

“I lived in L.A. for four years, and, as you know, they have it banned on the beaches up there,” Patterson said. “The area between the border and Solana Beach has been about the only part of Southern California where you could drink on the beach.”

Patterson remembers nights as a kid going to Point Loma High School when he and his buddies could gather around a bonfire at Ocean Beach and “stay up all night, drinkin’ and talkin.’ We didn’t bother anybody, and they didn’t bother us.”

“What happened is a lot of East County gang types started showing up at the beaches, ruining it for everybody. Legislation won’t stop it, but they’ve tried everything else, so now, they’ve got to try that. I think the ban was inevitable; it’s just sad it had to happen.”

Paul Fejfar, 22, a Navy man from South Dakota, and Nebraskan Paula Heine, 20, both of El Cajon, said one of their happiest memories is the first time they ever saw a California beach at sunset, an event they celebrated at Ocean Beach with a glass of champagne.

Claude Sims, 31, a corrections officer from Spring Valley, was at the beach Thursday afternoon with his 4-year-old son. He’s all for the ban.

“A lot of people would be against it until something happened to one of their kids, and then, they’ll be for it too,” Sims said.

A lifeguard, who asked not to be quoted by name, said he is for it--enthusiastically so.

“Eighty percent of the rescues out here are alcohol-related,” he said. “Last summer, a drunk Navy guy was out here surfing. He almost drowned, only because he was so damn drunk. It’s getting worse and worse each year.

“I also don’t think it’s going to be hard to enforce. We give out $65 tickets for people drinking from bottles, or drinking after 10 p.m., and that’s seemed to work. I can’t wait to start cracking down on the ban.”

Patrokolas Demaggio, who owns Pat’s Liquor Store, just a beer-can’s throw from the water at Ocean Beach, said he bitterly resents the ban because it may destroy his business.

“The Navy guys buy heavy and then take it down the beach,” said Demaggio, puffing a thick cigar. “It won’t close me down, at least not right away, but it will hurt. I’m dependent on business from people who drink at the beach. But then, nobody listens to me anyway.”