Floatopia – San Diego rafters exploit loophole in law – for now

Leave it to the few that will ruin it for the many. This years Floatopia is now over and this writer will work to cease any future similar events. What I saw at the end was hundreds of drunken idiots lucky to make it out of the water. What I’m wondering is how many of these over 5,000 partiers got in their cars and drove home throughout San Diego or elsewhere – that is, I met one woman here from Orange County.

The local and national coverage of this event does not help build a good image of Pacific Beach. It perpetuates our community as the alcohol vortex of San Diego and Southern California. Great for alcohol-interests, which PB was somehow punished with far too many, and not so great for the residents – because the negative exposure and more events like this will attract more drunks from around the region.

I have a big concern as to who is responsible for planning and organizing this event? Wouldn’t they be responsible for obtaining a permit, coordinating the necessary security and staffing, prevent youth from having access, cleaning up the mess etc. etc? Perhaps the City Attorney should find out just who did help organize this event and go after them for the many thousands of dollars in police, lifeguard, parks and support personnel.

I saw photos and video in the local media that didn’t really portray much of the negative elements of the event. Sure, kids gorging on alcohol early in the morning makes good press. Drunks  staggering, fighting, suffering from alcohol poisoning, getting arrested – all just steps from the premier community family park – apparently doesn’t fit people’s appetite for news – as so little if any was reported.

I believe Chief Landsdowne should insist on an emergency ordinance to prevent any such future events from happening. I believe he has the authority to declare an amendment to the beach alcohol-free ordinance and perhaps add 200 yards from any land, other than a Coast Guard certified craft – specifically a worthy, licensed boat with safety equipment. This would prevent the throngs of people from endangering themselves and others in the coming Summer.

Without serious and immediate  action we are essentially giving the next group of people the thumbs up to hold another event.

What do you think?