
City officials estimated 716,600 people ventured out to city beaches during Labor Day weekend Sept. 4-6 — two-thirds fewer than last year. “Weather and cool water temperatures continue to be the driving force for the reduction of beach attendance and related rescue activity,” said Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum. In the water, lifeguards made a total of 70 water rescues, 211 medical aids and 4,063 preventative acts at city beaches from Saturday through Monday — a significant decrease from last year. The average water temperature at city beaches for the weekend was below 60 degrees, nearly 15 degrees less than in 2009. On the local sand and streets, things were also relatively quiet. San Diego Police Department Northern Division Lt. Jim Filley said there were no major incidents within the division, which also includes Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. “As the summer has moved through this alcohol ban, we’re getting more and more compliance,” Filley said. “It was very predictable to me that we were slow, weather not withstanding.” On Saturday through Monday, Northern Division officers made seven misdemeanor arrests, sent a combined 21 drunken individuals to detox and jail, and handed out 41 misdemeanor alcohol citations to go along with 42 misdemeanor citations. Filley was out and around the Northern Division during the weekend, and said Sunday was the busiest beach day. “The beach seemed very, very crowded on Sunday, but the crowds were well-behaved,” he said. “Our parking lots were full.”








