As a grandmother, mother, wife, travel agent and homeowner of a house in Mission Beach for more than 20 years, I want to commend those who finally decided it was time to clean up our beach and boardwalk.
We just spent a few weeks at our place and the difference in the entire area is remarkable! We could walk the boardwalk without being accosted by drunks hurling their insults and stomach contents at us.
We could sit on the beach and hear the ocean and the birds, not the belching and disgusting noises emitting from the orifices of those who had too much alcohol in their systems.
All of the girls kept their swimsuits on. My grandchildren played up and down the beach without fear. It was truly wonderful. The beach was so clean and it didn’t smell like a brewery.
As a travel agent, I have found that over the years, my clients have chosen to avoid Mission Beach and Pacific Beach because it become one big drunken brawl and many parents with teenage girls refused to even consider booking a hotel or condo in the area.
So they have been spending their considerable dollars at Coronado and other areas that already banned alcohol.
Yes, I did see some beachgoers hiding their drinks under their towels and using water bottles to hold their liquor, but there will always be those who have to break the rules, no matter what.
I spoke with some police officers and they were glad that they could now spend more time attempting to get the cigarette butts off the beach. They felt the ban was successful.
It is my hope that this ban on alcohol on the beach will become a permanent ban, and that as tourists learn that it is a better place to visit, they will return. As a matter of fact, I just spoke with clients who are going to give the area a try since I told them how pleasant it was.
Thank you to all who listened and to all who care about this beautiful spot on the beach.