ichoose: Let me make sure I understand this. You maintain that more exposure to alcohol and drugs is GOOD for "families?" You want a study of the economic impacts of the alcohol ban? I agree absolutely. Be sure that analysis includes the cost of alcohol-related policing, jailing, hospitalizing, and cleanup borne by the taxpayers...measured against the pennies generated by alcohol sales near the beach. BTW, the largest beer distributor in San Diego reports steady sales, as do the liquor stores. No impact from the ban, and crime's down 18.6%.

Alcohol-related citations and arrests for alcohol-related crime are: Alcohol-restricted area, alcohol in vehicle, DUI, Drunk in public, Minor-possession, minor-purchasing, and minor-transporting. Add 'em all up, and you get a reduction in alcohol-related crime of 18.6 percent.

Actually, the news was even better than the newspaper reported. They got the stat wrong; the numbers they gave were just for citations for alcohol in a restricted area. Check out the actual report, pages 7-9. Here's the link: http://docs.sandiego.gov/reportstocouncil/2008/08-154.pdf

"people...can't go to their favorite bars anymore?" ichoose, where do you get that conclusion? This story was about crime reduction after beaches went alcohol-free; no bar issues here at all.

Beach drinking has been dramatically reduced since the beach alcohol ban. Therefore, DUI increases are NOT being caused by beach drinking. If people are drinking in their homes, they're not driving home after drinking in their favorite bars. San Diego Police Chief Zimmerman reports "no evidence to show that house parties have increased since the alcohol ban." No one makes sure you don't drive home drunk from a beach where alcohol is allowed. Allowing beach drinking accommodates heavy and hazardous drinking and prevents families with young children from safely enjoying the beaches. For moderate drinkers alcohol free beaches are a minor inconvenience. For binge and underage drinkers they will require a major change in behavior. According to San Diego Police, alcohol citations at the beach are down by 16.96%, Minors in possession of alcohol are down by 51.79%, Minors transporting alcohol are down by 71.43%... so yes, way to go ANTI's. DUI's are likely up because of a better use of police resources. Instead of babysitting drunks on the beach, they are available to do saturation patrols.

From all accounts from tourist businesses in the beach area's they report business is booming, because families are at the beaches spending money and renting hotel rooms. The only businesses seeing a drop are liquor stores and drug paraphernalia shops. The city saved over a million dollars in clean up costs in the trial ban time, and thousands of hours of police overtime costs. The police department has the resources to patrol the whole city on holidays and summertime. The City of San Diego is billions of dollars in debt and shouldn't be subsidizing drunks and underage drinkers at the beaches.

DUIs are likely up because enforcement is up ... because the police aren't patrolling the beaches so much. Citations may be down because the number of people spending time on the beaches is down now that they can't have their drinks. I wonder how much beach attendance is down? If it's down 17% or more, then citation rates are the same.

Well, no DUH! Drunk-in-public arrests down 7%, DUI arrests up 8%. All you people do with your bans is drive people SOMEWHERE ELSE to do what they enjoy doing. So now you've got DUIs up. Way to go! It's the same with your stupid smoking bans. Now people are at HOME not only SMOKING but DRINKING, now that they can't go to their favorite bars anymore. And no one to cut them off at home. No one to make sure they don't get in a car (if a spouse is smart, they won't try it). So, way to go all you ANTIs. You've driven people underground while putting businesses out of business (your REAL deaths) and put families in harm's way. How about a RWJF grant to find out what damage your BANS have had on families and their incomes. Oh, that's right. No JnJ drugs to sell or way to profit from that kind of grant.