Why would thieves steal a cactus in a barrel?
As a friendly note to single-resident owners, we just had an almost unbelievable theft that we should all be made aware of. Next to our sidewalk, in a zero-landscaped front yard, we had a black, half whiskey barrel filled with exotic cactus and succulents that many stop to admire.
Can you believe that a few days ago someone actually stole it? It must weigh close to 50 pounds and has been there for years!
I am certain it was done by these characters who leave bars after 2 a.m., then yell and trash the area on their way to beach apartments. If I am right, they came back (drunk) in a vehicle to pick it up! This means that everything like this, not planted, has to be chained down with really heavy links. Maybe they are attracted to whiskey barrels!
I hope the Northern Division reads the Beach & Bay Press!
Walt C. Tice
Playa del Pacífico

Police, lifeguards agree: Ban makes beaches safer
The pro-alcohol people of Mission Bay Park and the local beaches just can’t face the facts (“Wait until summer to evaluate the beach ban,” Beach & Bay Press, April 10).
Eve Anderson’s April 3 column was right on the money. Also, those so-called “feel-good” letters written by pro-ban people have honestly and factually observed the beach scene since Jan. 3 when the one-year trial booze ban went into effect. And what a positive change it has had ” just stop and talk to a local police officer, lifeguard or someone at Park & Rec.
I have, and a female police officer told me, “It’s a much better world for me and the community as a whole.” She also mentioned that the PB and MB beat she’s had for about 12 years is seeing some long-term chronic problem people leave the beach.
Some of the anti-booze ban people are saying, “It’s quiet at the beach because it’s wintertime and it was a wet one.” Come on. if they believe that, they’re all wet.
March and April are prime spring break times. most college kids are great, but I, along with others, remember the keg parties, the trash and problems.
The April 3 letter also quoted “Theeeeey’re baaaack,” from the movie “Poltergeist,” referring to the homeless returning due to the warmer weather. Well, I’ll pull a quote from the move “Field of Dreams” ” “Build it and they will come.” In other words, ban alcohol and they’ll be back ” the kids and families.
Yes, you can see into the future of our beaches right now. Just open your ears and your eyes.
Steve Sherrard
playa de la misión

Banning dogs from the boardwalk is no solution
I did not know whether to laugh or cry after reading the ridiculous letter from James Olson demanding that people legally walking their dogs on leash be driven from the boardwalk (“Keep Dogs and their lazy owners off the boardwalk,” April 10, Beach & Bay Press).
As I am sure your letter writer knows, people are only permitted to walk their leashed dogs along the beach and boardwalk before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. during most of the year.
While I am sorry that the actions of a few inconsiderate dog owners caused Mr. Olson such angst, his suggestion that dogwalkers be banned from the boardwalk is no solution. I agree wholeheartedly that the littering laws should be enforced. In my opinion, the violators are mostly out-of-town visitors who do not know the rules. Longtime beach-area residents value the enjoyment of walking the boardwalk with their animal companions. They are not the miscreants.
While we are enforcing the boardwalk’s littering laws, why don’t we also enforce the bicycle speed limits? I am certain many readers have been startled by bike riders whizzing up behind them while shrieking “Behind you” or “Watch your left” and zipping by at speeds much greater than the posted limit.
Following Mr. Olson’s logic, we would have to ban boardwalk bike riding for these violations, a “solution” I am sure none of us wants.
Christian F Winkle
Playa del Pacífico

Ban has given families freedom to enjoy beach
Last Sunday, it was really hot and I took my kids to the beach at about 3:15 p.m. and it was so nice. In the past, I would have been hesitant to go down so late because of all the drinking parties and drunks.
But it was great down there. Looking south from Thomas to PB Drive, instead of seeing shoulder-to-shoulder drinkers packing the sand, drunk guys pitching horseshoes and people wading waist deep with beer in hand, I saw people lying on their beach towels, kids running around and digging in the sand, lots and lots of people enjoying the sun, sand and water.
We didn’t have to navigate past by loud, foul-mouthed groups. We didn’t have to worry that some drunk would spark a fight. All we had to do was find an open space on the sand and keep watch on our kids as they played in the ocean. The atmosphere was calm and it felt safe for my kids and myself. It felt really good to enjoy the beach without worrying about the drunks and my family’s safety.
It feels really good to have this freedom back, the freedom to enjoy the beach.
Marcie Beckett
Playa del Pacífico