Some Pacific Beach residents want a police officer solely dedicated to monitoring bars and restaurants in Pacific Beach, among other concerns noted in a newly-released report. The report, titled “Alcohol License Policies and Issues in Pacific Beach,” was released this month by a Pacific Beach Community Planning Board (PBCPB) subcommittee that assembled the document over 14 months, primarily using police statistics. The report highlights community concerns about the number of alcohol licenses in the area. However, it has also raised eyebrows within the local business community. One merchant said the report uses old data and puts Pacific Beach in a negative light, which could consequently hurt business. Members of the Alcohol License Review Committee are pushing for a policy change that would establish more local control over the alcohol-permit process, according to Chairman Scott Chipman. The subcommittee presented the report to the rest of the PBCPB and to the community during a recent board meeting. “Over the last 15 years the Business Improvement District has been moving in the wrong direction and we need to reverse that trend,” Chipman said. “Were not trying to stop [alcohol licenses], we’re trying to get the existing restaurants and new restaurants to operate like a restaurant and not like a bar.” The report cites high crime and a large number of drunken-driving cases as a result of the bar/restaurant scene in Pacific Beach. The report suggests following measures that other cities have implemented and had some success with. Among those cities is Ventura to the north, a city that dedicates a single police officer to monitor and work with businesses to “ensure best practices.” But local businessman Eric Lingenfelder of the Verant Group said the report negatively reflects on Pacific Beach, adding that changes sought by the subcommittee would stunt growth and slow — or altogether prevent — responsible business owners from making improvements that have little or nothing to do with alcohol. The provisions of the conditional-use permit proposed in the report would include a fee structure that would also cause some establishments to raise prices, Lingenfelder said. Though the subcommittee was supposed to be comprised of several members from the business community and local political groups, Lingenfelder said the business community was not approached for comments or to be involved with the report. Lingenfelder said the report also does not represent the sentiment of the entire Pacific Beach community. “This small group is portraying Pacific Beach in a negative manner. They use the same statistics they used to support the beach alcohol ban,” Lingenfelder said. “Now a lot of residents are getting fed up.”