Letter to Editor: Pacific Beach has more to offer than Floatopia

Letters to the Editor
San Diego Union Tribune

A recent commentary (“Floatopia and the beach booze ban,” March 25) described an isolated incident of spring break partyers (sic) taking advantage of a loophole. The author took the opportunity to take this legal issue and somehow connected it to the local business environment of Pacific Beach.

Pacific Beach is a popular destination for tourists and visitors of all ages. It also is a popular destination for young people who choose to come to PB for a variety of reasons, including the beach, restaurants and bars. These venues have strict standards for monitoring consumption. PB has an organized Hospitality Task Force that works closely with SDPD and the community to promote the local hospitality environment while making sure businesses act responsibly. Hundreds of managers, servers and security employees routinely are trained throughout the year and there are several programs to promote responsibility inside the venues.

Pacific Beach has been fortunate, even in today’s slow economy, to welcome several new businesses to the area. Reducing the number of businesses should not be the answer. It seems to make more sense to continue to provide education, awareness and enforcement while continuing to welcome visitors who come to PB to spend money and enjoy themselves.

ANDY HANSHAW
Executive Director, Discover Pacific Beach
San Diego

Source: SignOnSanDiego