An open letter to District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer and the Beacon:
Ocean Beach has always been viewed as a relaxed and tolerant place. I have been a member of this pedestrian community for many years and enjoy walks, hikes and bicycle rides at least once daily.
Recently, police conduct in the area has caused some concern for myself and others in the community. I am writing today to bring these issues to your attention. Included are two complaints which were forwarded to the Citizens’ Review Board, which establish a pattern. There are incidents involving other residents which further support this claim. Additional training should be provided to the police department with regards to conduct, laws and regulations.
“¢ In May, a middle-age black man with dreadlocks was enjoying time with his 17-year-old son on the wall at the end of Newport Avenue when the police cruiser drove past. The cruiser made a dramatic U-turn and drove up onto the grass. The officers got out of the car and began questioning him regarding his beverage, going so far as to sniff the drink. The man was drinking a Rock Star energy drink and had to explain to the officer what it was and point out that it is non-alcoholic.
“¢ In June, two late-20ish men were sitting on Santa Cruz Cove Beach. They were in beach chairs, quietly talking and sipping what appeared to be sodas. The cans were kept in a duffel bag, they were not smoking and there was no litter near them. When the police walked by on patrol, officers searched the bags of the men and apparently found beer, although the men never called attention to themselves in any way.
“¢ On Independence Day, families were playing on the grassy area at the end of Saratoga Avenue. Some neighbors, whose property abuts the city grass, had put out a piece of plastic and run their own hose so the children could enjoy a “slip-and-slide.” It was truly fun for the children until 3 p.m., when an officer on an ATV drove up and told them to shut it down. The reasoning was that it might kill the grass! It had been strategically placed over an already dead spot of grass (larger than 8 by 8) so the water run-off would benefit the lawn. Interestingly, they allowed the dangerous tightrope to remain.
“¢ July 25, a woman is summoned from deep water while swimming with her service dog at Santa Cruz Beach. The officers refused to acknowledge the animal’s identification or status.
Unfortunately, the ban on alcohol, which was intended to provide a space at the beach for families and children to play, has allowed for infringement on our privacy and rights. Police officers seem to abide laws only to enforce them and issue citations but not abide the laws themselves. Officers are not exercising reasonable judgment and, it seems, are citing people simply to generate revenue with no thought of the potential impact on the courts.
The intimidation exercised by officers quashes enjoyment of the beach. You are invited to witness the afternoon patrol of the cliffs and beaches, which more often serves to chase all beachgoers off.
While their job is sometimes difficult, our beach police are the primary contact for residents and tourists, and their presence should afford civilized people quiet enjoyment of the beach. Officers should be approachable, informed and helpful. The motto on their vehicles states “to protect and serve” yet, more and more, their actions support the motto “harrass and intimidate.”
I have witnessed and personally experienced officers provoking, name-calling and escalating a situation in an effort to create citable offenses. It is time that we take a deeper look into the conduct of our San Diego police officers in an effort to maintain an atmosphere at the beach that supports good, clean fun.