SAN DIEGO -- No more booze on San Diego beaches.
The City Council on Tuesday gave final approval to a one-year trial ban on drinking alcohol at city beaches.
The trial ban follows a Labor Day melee in Pacific Beach that resulted in riot gear-clad police being pelted with beer cans. Police made 16 arrests.
Councilman Kevin Faulconer represents Pacific Beach and proposed the ban, which was approved by a 5-2 majority.
Not everyone supported the idea, but regardless, the ban takes effect in 30 days. Opponents said they want the issue to go before voters and plan to collect signatures for a referendum.
In 2002, San Diego voters narrowly rejected a ballot measure to prohibit booze on the beach.
The San Diego City Council has voted in favor of a year-round ban on alcohol at all city beaches and parks, on a trial basis.
The ban affects all public beaches, bays and coastal rights of way as well as all coastal parks south of and including Tourmaline Park. The ban would affect Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach and Point Loma.
Council members Jim Madaffer and Tony Young voted against the ban, NBC affiliate KNSD-TV reported. Opponents of an alcohol ban said it should be personal choice, and some point out that it might hurt the tourism industry and local business.
At issue was whether to ban booze, and if so, whether to ban it completely or only on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The vote was sparked by the Labor Day melee in Pacific Beach. Sixteen people were arrested.
If the ordinance is approved on second reading, it would take effect 30 days later, according to Council President Scott Peters. That will most likely be in January, Peters said.
Once the law goes into effect, people caught drinking alcohol on the beach will be cited, KNSD-TV reported. After a year the ban will have to come back to the council for review -- and reauthorization.
The City Council on Tuesday gave final approval to a one-year trial ban on drinking alcohol at city beaches.
The trial ban follows a Labor Day melee in Pacific Beach that resulted in riot gear-clad police being pelted with beer cans. Police made 16 arrests.
Councilman Kevin Faulconer represents Pacific Beach and proposed the ban, which was approved by a 5-2 majority.
Not everyone supported the idea, but regardless, the ban takes effect in 30 days. Opponents said they want the issue to go before voters and plan to collect signatures for a referendum.
In 2002, San Diego voters narrowly rejected a ballot measure to prohibit booze on the beach.
The San Diego City Council has voted in favor of a year-round ban on alcohol at all city beaches and parks, on a trial basis.
The ban affects all public beaches, bays and coastal rights of way as well as all coastal parks south of and including Tourmaline Park. The ban would affect Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach and Point Loma.
Council members Jim Madaffer and Tony Young voted against the ban, NBC affiliate KNSD-TV reported. Opponents of an alcohol ban said it should be personal choice, and some point out that it might hurt the tourism industry and local business.
At issue was whether to ban booze, and if so, whether to ban it completely or only on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The vote was sparked by the Labor Day melee in Pacific Beach. Sixteen people were arrested.
If the ordinance is approved on second reading, it would take effect 30 days later, according to Council President Scott Peters. That will most likely be in January, Peters said.
Once the law goes into effect, people caught drinking alcohol on the beach will be cited, KNSD-TV reported. After a year the ban will have to come back to the council for review -- and reauthorization.
