Riot Puts Beach Alcohol Back In Spotlight
September 4, 2007 No Comments9/4/07 Monica Dean, NBC 7/39 Reporter
SAN DIEGO — The city councilman from Pacific Beach said a Labor Day riot in his neighborhood shows that something has to change.
Councilmember Kevin Faulconer said alcohol undoubtedly played a role in the confrontation between a rowdy crowd and more than 70 San Diego police officers Monday. He called for some significant changes to be made quickly.
“We can not allow this to ever happen again on the beaches of San Diego. We just can’t,” Faulconer said.
The Pacific Beach community has long been divided over a ban on alcohol at the beach. For nearly a year, a Beach Alcohol Task Force has been meeting to address problems related to drinking on the beach. The task force is made up of residents and businesses owners in Pacific, Mission and Ocean Beaches. Faulconer is the chairman of the group.
Monday night, several Pacific Beach residents told NBC 7/39 that Monday’s violence shows the need for some restrictions. Some residents support an alcohol ban. Others favor more rules targeting bad behavior and tougher enforcement. Faulconer said both approaches should be considered.
“Any time you have a situation with this type of rowdy activity — you have people not respecting our law enforcement officers — we’re going to have to make some changes,” Faulconer said.
