BURBANK : Council Votes to Ban Alcohol in Parks

Noise, crime and large crowds have led the Burbank City Council to a sobering decision to ban alcohol at city parks.

“I don’t think I’ve had more phone calls over the years than I’ve had with complaints from drinking at our parks,” Councilman Bob Bowne said before the council voted 5 to 0 to give preliminary approval to the ban Tuesday night. The second and final vote will be next week.

Bowne said he hoped the move would “restore our parks to the family oriented entertainment areas they were meant to be.”

One council member reluctantly accepted the ban.

“While it is a shame that a nice couple cannot have a bottle of champagne over a romantic picnic, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make,” Councilwoman Susan Spanos said.

The city allows drinking in public parks until dusk, but that policy has left police and parks and recreation officials helpless in controlling large unruly crowds. Of the 390 citations issued during a recent 10-month period by park officials, 112 were for alcohol offenses such as open containers in a vehicle and drinking after dark. Nine arrests were made for underage drinking and being drunk in public, city officials said.

“It’s going to be a tough law to enforce when the police are needed elsewhere,” said Andrew Quadrini, a Burbank resident who suggested that the idea be put to a public vote.

The city policy of allowing drinking until dusk also encouraged excessive drinking just before dark, Parks and Recreation Director Mary Alvord said.

“Our problem is when the truckloads of people come up,” Police Chief David Newsham said. “But when it’s time for them to go, they’re going to be climbing back into their vehicles.”

Alcohol will also still be sold at the Starlight Bowl Amphitheater and De Bell Golf Course, both owned by the city. Alvord said events such as a veterans picnic, which require a separate permit and licensing, would be granted exemptions from the ban on a case-by-case basis.