Although only a few people triggered the Labor Day brawl on Pacific Beach, it’s unfortunate so many more participated in anti-police chanting and bottle throwing. And even more unfortunate is that so few in the group took action to restrain the group’s behavior.
Unless the younger, beach- going, drinking population can organize to control this type of behavior from within their own ranks, a total alcohol ban is inevitable. They must become individually and collectively responsible in order to protect San Diego’s beach experience.
A total and permanent ban will impact hundreds of thousands of San Diego residents, college students and tourists that enjoy, appreciate and respect the beaches, communities and freedoms of San Diego.
I hope the City Council finds it possible to institute temporary alcohol bans on the beaches or certain areas of the beaches to wake up the younger generation and make them aware of their responsibilities. Parents, adults and adult institutions must create opportunities for children and young adults to grow into responsible citizens.
If we don’t, and if an alcohol ban is our only resolve, then eventually as a society we will only know how to ban ” ban smoking, alcohol, dogs, skateboards, dangerous playground equipment ” what will be next? Ban food on the beach to prevent litter? Ban surfing because a few people die in the ocean? Bans do not promote individual responsibility or good citizenship.
Let’s give the mayor the authority to impose alcohol moratoriums Make this a way to earn freedom. When the beaches are not kept clean, and the group behavior is not respectful of others, a moratorium goes into effect. It would be similar to what happens when the water contains unsafe levels of bacteria; the no swimming signs go up.