Weeks before fires raged through San Diego County, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of thousands from their homes, residents were coping with the Mount Soledad landslide.
“The (San Diego Police Department’s) Northern Division did a tremendous job,” said Thyme Curtis of Councilman Kevin Faulconer’s office at the Pacific Beach Town Council’s (PBTC) monthly general meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Earl & Birdie Taylor Library, 4275 Cass St.
Six homes were red-tagged, according to Curtis.
“They will most likely never be able to go in their homes again,” she said. An additional 13 homes were orange-tagged, meaning that residents are allowed to go inside their homes to retrieve belongings but are advised not to stay. An additional seven homes were yellow-tagged. Those residents can stay in their homes if they choose but will not have ambulance service because the area is considered too unstable.
“You’d be amazed how many people have come and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got an extra room and I can take someone’s pet,” San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Officer Alan Alvarez said. “The community should give itself a big hand.”
The rescue and recovery effort transitioned to a construction site on Thursday, Oct. 11, Curtis said.
Residents affected by the land slide can fill out calamity and tax reassessment forms for up to 12 months, said John Weil, chief of staff for County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price.
In the wake of the Labor Day brawl at the foot of Reed Street, four versions of a beach alcohol ordinance are going to City Council.
Faulconer’s proposal calls for a year-round alcohol ban on city beaches and coastal parks in District 2. City Attorney Mike Aguirre has proposed a ban on all San Diego beaches as well as a year-round ban in La Jolla. Many La Jollans have indicated they would prefer that alcohol be allowed on designated beaches, including Windansea, Curtis said. Sanders has suggested a ban on holiday weekends only, including the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Memorial Day.
An Administrative Citation Program enabling officers to issue fines of up to $1,000 to residents and landlords for noise-disturbance calls will soon be implemented citywide, Curtis said.
“It gives police officers the ability to write citations for a party call,” said SDPD Lt. Brian Ahearn. “We’re moving into the civil arena.”
Students in the College Area have requested a lower fine and a payment plan if they can’t pay at the time.
Persons who are issued a citation already have up to 27 days to pay, Ahearn said.
Students also requested community service in lieu of payment.
The beach area’s Community Court program ” which allows offenders who commit misdemeanor violations, such as having glass on the beach, to perform community service and listen to an educational presentation instead of paying a fine ” has received a grant that will allow it to continue through August 2008, announced Deputy City Attorney Theresa Martin.
None of the community court participants have committed further violations in the beach area, Martin said.
The Neighborhood Watch program is also enjoying success, Alvarez said.
“This is ownership of your community,” he said.
The program, which recently purchased new reflective signs, has 10 groups.
“I’m sure we’re going to double by next year,” Alvarez said. For information on how to join or start a program, call the PBTC offices, (858) 483-6666.
Ahearn urged neighbors who are reporting noisy parties to be patient because police are often involved in serious cases that require detailed evidence-gathering. On Saturday, Oct. 13, police were responded to a triple stabbing and an altercation between a driver and pedestrians resulting in head trauma.
“It was a bad night for us in PB,” Ahearn said.
In other city news, an ordinance that would prohibit RVs and other oversize vehicles from parking in beach areas overnight has again stalled. Sanders’ office is reviewing the ordinance, Curtis said, because the signage necessary to advertise the new rules “would cost more than they’re comfortable with.”
The town council also re-elected President Ruby Houck and Vice President Rose Galliher.
The contested offices of treasurer and secretary as well as several director positions will be decided by ballot. Town council members will receive their ballots in the November newsletter.
The PBTC will hold its next general meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Taylor Library.