Tougher rules may guide use of beaches | San Diego wants laws in place July Fourth

Angela Lau. The San Diego Union – Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Apr 29, 2004. pg. B.1

CORRECTION: FOR THE RECORD | A story Thursday incorrectly said that freepb.org, a small group formed to promote responsible drinking at San Diego beaches, supported recommendations by a San Diego City Council committee to place controls on beach use. Larry Leon, a freepb.org participant, said he was accurately quoted as saying that regulations were fine with him if they helped the overall community. However, because of an editing error, the story failed to specify that he wants police to provide statistics to show regulations are needed. He also called for providing the recommendations to the communities and said they shouldn’t be rushed through. The Union-Tribune regrets the error. (05/01/2004, B- 2)

Troubled by the destructiveness and inconsideration of rowdy beachgoers, a City Council committee yesterday recommended toughening restrictions on beach use.

The recommendations include a curfew at the fire rings from midnight to 6 a.m., a ban on the use of household furniture on the beaches and a ban on the placement of private barriers to cordon off an area.

The City Attorney’s Office hopes the proposed regulations can be presented to the full City Council in May and be in effect by Independence Day, the busiest beach holiday of the year.

San Diego Police Chief Bill Lansdowne emphasized to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee yesterday that while the new regulations would be particularly beneficial for enforcement on July Fourth, they would apply year-round if adopted.

Violations would carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Police said city laws prohibit drinking at La Jolla beaches, and permit alcohol consumption from noon to 8 p.m. at all beaches from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach. Keg beer is also banned on city beaches July Fourth.

Councilman Michael Zucchet urged committee members to approve the recommendations. He said San Diegans should not underestimate the power of what some said are marginally effective changes.

“This is not going to satisfy everybody, but I don’t think these steps are insignificant,” said Zucchet, whose district includes Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, where most of the complaints are reported.

Sidney Goodman, president of the Sail Bay Association, which has been pushing for an all-day ban on alcohol on July Fourth, said the regulations represent “the smallest part of what we thought was necessary.

“You don’t put a Band-Aid on a carotid artery that’s split open,” he said. A 24-hour alcohol ban is the only solution, he said.

The committee’s recommendations received unexpected support from freepb.org, a small group formed recently to fight efforts to impose a 24-hour alcohol ban on July Fourth.

“We have to have some regulations. If this is going to help the community overall, it’s fine with me,” said Larry Leon, a participant in the loosely formed organization.

Lansdowne explained the proposed regulations — the product of a consensus among beach-area community members and law enforcement — would not adversely affect law-abiding families.

He said the fire ring curfew would not prevent families from using them during the day, but would reduce drunkenness and gang congregations after midnight. There are 107 pits in Mission Bay Park.

The proposed ban on furniture would only apply to couches, recliners, dining and coffee tables, refrigerators and freezers, officials said. Equipment such as lawn chairs, folding tables and shade tents would still be allowed. Lansdowne said the city picked up 100 tons of trash after Independence Day last year, much of which was abandoned furniture.

He also said a ban on “turf marking” is necessary because police have found that some people like to put up ropes or cords to designate an area for personal enjoyment, blocking access by others and emergency crews.

Zucchet said turf marking had led to altercations.

Lansdowne also said he plans to add 329 patrol and horseback officers, 46 sergeants and 104 traffic controllers to manage the July Fourth weekend. The additions would cost $285,724. The city expects 750,000 people to visit the beaches and Mission Bay on the Fourth of July.

Angela Lau: (619) 542-4584; angela.lau@uniontrib.com
[Illustration]
1 PIC; Caption: Use of the fire rings at San Diego city beaches would be banned from midnight to 6 a.m. under recommendations proposed by a City Council committee yesterday.; Credit: 2000 file photo / Union-Tribune

Credit: STAFF WRITER