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4 March 2002 -The San Diego Union-Tribune
Foes of beach alcohol ban expect to win Liquor interests giving funds to defeat Prop. G

By Angela Lau

Armed with large donations from liquor and beer distributors and retailers, opponents of Proposition G, which would impose a round- the-clock trial ban on alcohol in parts of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, predict defeat tomorrow of the ballot measure. "It will be 56-44 (percent) in our favor," said Bob Glaser, consultant for San Diegans for Protection of Responsible Beach Rights. He declined to explain how he came to that conclusion.

On the other side, measure supporters know the reality of being outspent. "We're not at all confident we'll win," said Bill Bradshaw, chairman of San Diegans for Safe Beaches. Proposition G would ban alcohol in limited areas of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach for a test period, beginning about one month after the election and running until Dec. 31. Much of Mission Bay would still be open to drinking; Ocean Beach is not included.

The ballot issue proposes to ban alcohol 24 hours a day in areas along the ocean from the south jetty in Mission Beach to Felspar Street north of Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. On the bay side, the trial ban would cover beaches from Mission Point up to Zanzibar Court south of the pier outside Catamaran Hotel. That means all of east Mission Bay, Fiesta Island, Quivera Basin, Dana Landing, Crown Point, Sail Bay and Mission Bay Park off of Ingraham Street would remain open to drinking from noon to 8 p.m. under existing laws. There are nearly two dozen designated spots within the beach and bay-side areas where beach goers can seek an alcohol consumption permit from the city.

Councilman Byron Wear, author of the measure, said it targets areas of the beach communities where most alcohol-related crimes occur. George Saldamando, San Diego's assistant police chief, said areas not covered by the ban would be closely monitored. "We suspect any area not covered by the ban would show some type of increase in drinking," he said.

The Police Department supports Proposition G, citing high rates of alcohol-related crimes in Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. Police made arrests and issued citations numbering 17,393 in the two beach communities in 1998-2000. That was more than one-third of the city's total. The trial period is meant to test the effectiveness of a beach alcohol ban in reducing crime. When the trial ends, the City Council would have to act to extend it. That was the idea last April when the council approved an 18- month test ban on parts of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. It was to have begun last June, but the proposal was forced to the ballot by a referendum campaign.

So far, ballot opponents have reported raising $22,150, all from alcohol distributors and beer, liquor and wine markets, most of which are in Mission Beach. Of the $22,150, $5,000 came from the Sacramento-based California Beer and Beverage Distributors, a trade association. Harry's Market, Ace Liquor, Hub Liquor and Little Sam's Market, all of Mission Beach, gave $3,000 each. Proposition G supporters are quick to contend that the liquor industry is giving money to protect their bottom line, not the safety of communities.

They say opponents last year raised $77,896 to finance the referendum campaign. The bulk of the money came from beer, wine and liquor distributors and retailers. Proposition G supporters have collected $8,701 so far from individuals, with donations ranging from $100 to $1,000. Opponents are using their money to air radio ads; supporters are distributing fliers and mailers and holding rallies.

The measure's supporters accuse opponents of trying to hide the fact their campaign is being financed by liquor businesses. They noted that detractors filed their first financial disclosure 21 days late. Since they reported no money raised, the city clerk fined them the maximum $100 allowed by law.

Subsequent disclosures, which reflect large sums from alcohol distributors and markets, also have been filed late. The city's elections officer, Joyce Lane, said she will be notifying them of possible penalties. "I have been contending all along they want to hide where their money's coming from," said supporters' chairman Bradshaw. "They're hoping it won't get reported by anyone before the election." Glaser said the opponents' disclosures, although late, honestly list alcohol distributors who gave money.