More police, trash cans and toilets for holiday
July 3, 2004 No CommentsAngela Lau. The San Diego Union – Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Jul 3, 2004. pg. B.2
San Diego beach revelers this Fourth of July will find more restrictions on alcohol consumption, more portable toilets, more trash cans and a larger police presence.
The city is taking these measures in response to complaints of drunken rowdiness and littering at the beaches in past years on the Fourth of July, traditionally the busiest holiday. About 750,000 people visited the sand and city parks last Independence Day.
The new laws will augment existing regulations that ban keg beer at the beaches on July Fourth and limit daily drinking from noon to 8 p.m. at Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach. Alcohol is banned 24 hours a day at La Jolla beaches.
The new regulations include:
o A 24-hour ban on alcohol at Fanuel Street Park near Sail Bay except for park visitors who have obtained a permit.
o A curfew on the use of fire rings from midnight to 5 a.m. Police believe the prohibition will eliminate drunken gatherings that sometimes lead to violence.
o A ban on the use of household furniture, such as couches and coffee tables, at the beaches.
o A ban on the use of barriers to cordon off space for personal use at the beaches. Barriers include ropes, cords, tapes and tents. Canopies and devices for sun protection still are allowed.
Violations could bring fines of as much as $1,000 and jail time of as much as six months, police Lt. Manuel Rodriguez said.
Police will step up enforcement with 300 additional officers who will patrol Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach areas today, tomorrow and Monday, Rodriguez said.
The majority of the officers will be deployed tomorrow, he said, and most will be on foot or riding bicycles. The additional staffing will cost about $250,000.
Police hope to smooth congestion by diverting cars on some roads after 9 p.m. tomorrow to facilitate traffic leaving the beaches when the fireworks are over, Rodriguez said.
“It’s a learning experience for all of us,” he said. “But we think we will be able to manage a lot of the problems we had last year. We are trying to set up an environment where everybody can have a good time.”
The city is doubling the number of portable restrooms and Dumpsters, said Div Brasted, the city’s Mission Bay Park manager. At Sail Bay, where residents complained of overflowing portable toilets, restroom trailers with male and female facilities will be installed.
To avoid a repeat of the mountains of trash left behind on the beaches last year — 100 tons, city staff and volunteers will hand out free trash bags to revelers, Brasted said.
Police remind the public that no camping is allowed on the beaches.
Officials urge revelers to read signs posted at beaches and parks to avoid breaking the law.
Angela Lau: (619) 542-4584; angela.lau@uniontrib.com
[Illustration]
1 MAP | 1 CHART; Caption: 1. Traffic plans for 4th of July celebrations 2. Other traffic plans; Credit: 1,2. SOURCE: Local police | PETE CHENARD / Union-Tribune
Credit: STAFF WRITER
