Alcohol Ban Opposition

Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:38 AM PDT

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The San Diego Safe Beach Coalition will kick off its "No on Prop. D" campaign today to oppose the proposition that would make permanent and expand a trial booze ban for 26 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of parkland in San Diego.

Coalition spokesman Jacob Pyle said the all-volunteer group will undertake an education and get-out-the-vote drive in the upcoming weeks as it gathers more members and political support. Both the San Diego County Young Democrats and the San Diego County Libertarian Party have both endorsed the coalition, Pyle said.

Many San Diego residents are unaware that a booze ban measure is even on the November ballot, he said, while those who do know about the ban have also been misinformed by rumors linking increased business, decreased crime and less DUIs with the ban. Or, they look at the ban's trial run this year and do not realize that Proposition D's scope covers much more land, Pyle said.

"You can talk to 99% of the businesses in the beach community, and they'll tell you business is way down this year," he said. "If it was because of the economic downturn, you would think it would be consistent across all beaches. The San Diego County Fair had record attendance this year ... you'd think places that cost money would be down in attendance as well."

Supporters of Prop. D argue that the ban improves safety and public health while benefitting local businesses. The City Council voted unanimously in July to place the ban on the November ballot. The proposal for the ballot measure was floated by Councilmen Scott Peters and Kevin Faulconer.