SAN DIEGO
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Voters might soon have the opportunity once more to decide if San Diego beach-goers should be allowed to drink alcohol.
Council President Scott Peters and Councilman Kevin Faulconer sought support for the move yesterday in a news conference at Pacific Beach.
Surrounded by backers of a permanent ban, Faulconer pointed to “dramatic changes” that the beach community has seen since a one-year trial ban took effect in January. He and Peters want the San Diego City Council to put a measure on the November ballot that would lead to a permanent ban.
Marcella Teran, a Pacific Beach resident, attested to the difference the temporary ban has made in her life and called this season “the greatest summer” because of it. She said that in the past, she has avoided taking her son Dylan, 12, to the beach.
Opponents, however, vowed to rally against efforts to extend the ban. They tried to block it six months ago but failed to collect enough signatures for a referendum.
“I do believe that San Diegans highly value their personal freedoms, and that will be demonstrated at the ballot box,” said Rob Rynearson, a board member with freepb.org, a civic group.
The issue is set to be considered at Tuesday's council meeting. The council in November approved the trial ban on a 5-2 vote, with Councilmen Jim Madaffer and Tony Young in opposition.
The city has until Aug. 8 to turn ballot measures over to the county.
Peters expects both sides to clash through the fall.
“This has been much better for the beaches down here,” he said. “It's going to be a big fight, but it's a fight we can win.”
Banning booze from San Diego beaches has long been controversial.
In 1991, the council voted for a one-year trial ban, but was forced to rescind its decision. The city compromised, outlawing drinking between 8 p.m. and noon.
In 2002, a decision to impose an 18-month, around-the-clock trial ban on parts of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach was forced onto the ballot, where it failed.
Faulconer has been pushing for a permanent ban since last year's drunken Labor Day melee at Pacific Beach. Through the beginning of this month, police had issued 498 citations in San Diego for people who drank alcohol at the beach.
Jennifer Vigil: (619) 718-5069; jennifer.vigil@uniontrib.com
