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| 12 March 2002 - The San Diego Union-Tribune Absentee ballots don't deliver win for beach-area alcohol ban By Angela Lau "We've The ballot issue that sought to impose a round-the-clock trial ban on alcohol on parts of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach has failed by a slim margin. With almost all remaining absentee ballots counted yesterday, Prop G trailed by 2,919 votes. Registrar of Voters Sally McPherson said that margin would be impossible to overcome because only 500 more absentee ballot were left to be counted today. The tally through yesterday was 86,519 to 83,600. Despite the proposition's defeat, existing restrictions on alcohol at Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach remain on the books from 8 p.m. to noon. It was "a lot closer than a lot of people thought it would be," said Jeff Van Deerlin, acting chief of staff for Councilman Byron Wear, author of the trial ban. "Maybe there are some strategies both sides can pursue that would lead to safer beaches in San Diego," Van Deerlin said. Bob Glaser, a consultant for opponents of Proposition G, said they repeatedly recommended ways the city could prevent alcohol-related crimes at the beaches. The recommendations, supported by the town councils of Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach, include increasing the number of police on the beaches, strict enforcement of existing laws and setting up community courts to dispose of minor alcohol crimes. "I hope (supporters of the ban will) step back and say, 'Maybe we should work with the town councils and try other ways of enforcement,' " Glaser said. "But I suspect many are opposed to alcohol any time, any where, any fashion." Bill Bradshaw, chairman of San Diegans for Safe Beaches, said he already has informed the presidents of the town councils that his group will lobby the City Council to support the recommendations. "I suspect they really could care less and will not push (them) without people like us to light a fire under the council," Bradshaw said. Wear, who was out of town yesterday, previously has said he is not sure the city can afford to add to the existing patrol team of 50 to 60 police assigned to the beaches. Campaign finance disclosures filed with the City Clerk's Office before the election showed opponents of the ban raised at least $22,150 from a Sacramento-based beer distributors association and local merchants. They used the money to purchase radio and magazine ads. Last year, opponents obtained $77,896 in cash and loans – mostly from beer and wine distributors and local merchants – to gather signatures to place the issue on the March 5 ballot. Glaser said merchants who gave money are small businesses trying to protect their livelihoods. Supporters of the ballot measure in their latest disclosure statement reported raising $8,701 and relied on mailers, fliers and educational rallies to get their message across. The ballot measure would have imposed a 24-hour-a-day test ban from the south jetty in Mission Beach to Felspar Street in Pacific Beach on the ocean side and from Mission Point to Zanzibar Court on the bay side. However, it would have left Ocean Beach and much of Mission Bay open to alcohol, an arrangement that was criticized by residents of Ocean Beach who were worried any problems would move to their community. Police said Pacific Beach and Mission Beach reported more than one-third of San Diego's alcohol-related crimes from 1998-2000, although they were unable to determine how many such crimes originated at the beaches. |
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