Oct. 15, 2009 --- A study analyzing the relationship between police incidents and alcohol-serving establishments may lead the San Luis Obispo City Council to make changes in the way those businesses are regulated.
Anyone can attend Tuesday’s council meeting to review and comment on the study, which overlaid data from the San Luis Obispo Police Department’s incident and arrest database with the location of alcohol outlets in 2008, both citywide and in downtown San Luis Obispo.
However, the study has flaws, according to the San Luis Obispo Chamber Board of Directors.
The Board recognized in a motion on Thursday that there is a citywide problem with alcohol-related incidents. However, the Board concluded that the data-gathering process for the study was flawed because it did not include input from relevant stakeholders and because the timeframe was too narrow. The Board finds that by studying only one year data, it is impossible to determine trends.
“The purpose of the study is not to create an ‘us against them’ mentality, but to better understand these issues in a quantifiable way and to ensure the prosperity of all businesses while reducing safety problems studied in the 2008 incidents,” Chief of Police Deborah Linden said at a recent Chamber Issues Evaluation Committee meeting.
Many alcohol establishments say they are willing to work with the city on these issues, but that they should have been included in the study. These business owners say the city must examine other years prior to 2008 in order to make policy decisions.
“The bottom line is that we want to ensure the vitality of our downtown core,” Board Chair Tom Lebens said. “All businesses in the downtown core need to have a voice in the process, including those that sell alcohol, but these businesses were not given an opportunity to provide input when the study was conducted.”
Potential policy changes or regulations could include imposing fees on retail on-sale alcohol outlets and educating/training establishments on “best practices” of alcohol services and management. For a full list of recommended policy changes, click here.
The special city council meeting is open to the public, and anyone may address the council regarding this issue. The meeting will occur on Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 990 Palm St.
Kathi Main of Kevin Main Jewelry and Bill Hale, owner/operator of several downtown bars, will give their very different perspectives on this hot issue at Good Morning SLO on Oct. 22. Register for Good Morning SLO here.
For more information on the special meeting, click here.
The study: Volume I reports on citywide alcohol-related police incidents
The study: Volume II reports on downtown alcohol-related police incidents
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