San Diego Police Department Northern and Western Division officers, the Beach Teams (Northern and Western Divisions), the Harbor Unit, the Mounted Enforcement Unit, motor officers, Retired Senior Volunteers and Special Event Traffic Controllers will patrol La Jolla, Mission, Ocean and Pacific Beaches during the Fourth of July holiday.
Officers will use patrol cars, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, horses and boats to ensure the safety of all visitors. We expect more than a million people will visit San Diego's beaches during the three-day weekend.
In addition to beach and park enforcement, officers will conduct DUI saturation patrols in the beach areas and they will also enforce "Click It or Ticket."
Visitors and residents should be aware that this is the first Fourth of July under the new one-year trial alcohol ban. The ban was passed January 14, 2008, and officers began enforcing it on February 14, 2008.
The ban prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages on most of San Diego's beaches and public parks. The law also applies to possessing an open alcoholic beverage container. The law bans drinking at San Diego beaches from Point Loma to the Del Mar City limits.
Beach and park signage have been updated to reflect the alcohol ban. San Diego police officers, lifeguards and park rangers will issue citations for alcohol offenses committed during the holiday. The fine for a first offense is $250 and repeat offenders could face a fine of $1000 and up to six months in jail.
The San Diego Police Department has committed extra personnel to the beach areas throughout the July 4, 2008 holiday period. Officers will be in uniform and in plainclothes assignments. The Mounted and Harbor Enforcement Units will be operational during peak hours. Motorcycle officers, Special Event Traffic Controllers (SETCs) and members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP) will assist with traffic issues.
The Department will have command posts throughout the beach area. The primary command post will be at De Anza Cove, 2727 De Anza Road. This will be the central point of management for Fourth of July.
Smaller command posts (Divisions) will be set up at the following locations:
Fiesta Island Division (entrance of Fiesta Island) is responsible for Fiesta Island, the park of East Mission Bay, De Anza Cove and Park, South Shores Park, and SeaWorld.
Belmont Division (west parking lot of 3000 Mission Blvd.) is responsible for the area within El Carmel Place south to the Mission Beach Jetty and including Mission Point, Bonita Cove, Mariners Point, Bahia Point, Belmont Park, El Carmel Place and the beaches, surface streets and parks within these boundaries.
Reed Division (700 Reed St.) is responsible for Mission Beach north of El Carmel Place to Tourmaline Surf Park, including the beaches, hotels and residences.
Fanuel / Sail Bay Division (foot of Fanuel St.) is responsible for the bayside from El Carmel and around the bay, including Sail Bay and Riviera Shores to Ingraham Street. This includes the residences along Pacific Beach Drive and Riviera Drive.
Ski Beach Division (south parking of Ski Beach) is responsible for Ski Beach, Crown Point , Crown Point Shores, Vacation Isle, Dana Landing, Quivira Basin and Hospitality Point area.
La Jolla Division (1100 Coast Blvd.) is responsible for the beaches and coves of La Jolla south of Torrey Pines State Beach to the north end of Tourmaline Surfing Park. Ocean Beach Division (1900 Abbott Street) is responsible for policing the beach and cliff areas of Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs, Dog Beach, Robb Field & Dusty Rhodes Park.
SDPD has coordinated its preparation for the holiday period with the city's Park & Recreation Department, the SD Fire-Rescue Department, the Lifeguard Service, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), and the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure that people who visit the beaches or Mission Bay during the holiday weekend have a safe, enjoyable experience.
ROADWAYS and PARKING LOTS Beach areas will be packed throughout the weekend, but especially on the Fourth of July when various permitted fireworks shows will draw larger crowds that will stay later than normal. Plan to arrive early, expect traffic delays, and bring plenty of patience.
A map showing the special traffic flow plan for the Fourth of July is available at the a href="http://www.sandiego.gov/police/pdf/missionbaypark.pdf"target="_blank">SDPD Web site.
Roadways and parking lots will be congested each day. Parking regulations will be strictly enforced. Traffic cones will be in place to close roadways and parking lots, when necessary. It is illegal to drive through a cone pattern or to disobey the directions of a traffic control officer. Use common sense and follow the rules.
If you park blocking roadways, alleys, bike lanes, or fire lanes, you will be ticketed and your vehicle will be impounded. If your vehicle is impounded, contact Star Towing at (858) 573-8700.
BICYCLES Bicyclists must follow the rules of the road. That means obeying all signs and traffic control signals that apply to motorized vehicles. Bike riders who violate the law will be cited. A reminder: it is unlawful to operate a bicycle while impaired by alcohol or drugs; violators may be arrested.
PEDESTRIANS It is illegal to cross against traffic signals, to jaywalk or to interfere with traffic. Pedestrians will be cited for hazardous violations.
AT THE BEACH
Smoking on the sand, boardwalk or in park areas is prohibited.
Alcohol may not be consumed at most beaches and most public parks.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Dogs must be on a leash, and owners must pick up after their dogs.
Fencing of areas to be saved is prohibited.
Tents may be erected, but the side flaps must be up. Tents may not be left on the beach overnight to secure a spot for the next day; all unattended property will be collected by Park & Recreation Department employees and taken to Fiesta Island, where it can be reclaimed by its owner.
Fire rings may not be used after midnight. Use clean wood only (no pallets which are held together with nails).
Furniture other than lawn chairs on the beach or in a park is prohibited.
Rowdy behavior will be dealt with swiftly.
MISSION BAY It is illegal to operate watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The SDPD Harbor Unit will be on duty throughout the weekend along with Lifeguards.
ALL WATERWAYS (BEACHES AND BAY AREAS) The SDPD Harbor Unit, the Lifeguards, and the US Coast Guard will be enforcing all applicable vessel and waterway laws to ensure the safety of those using these areas.
FIREWORKS Fireworks are illegal throughout the city unless you possess a permit.
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