Alcohol by Right? Wrong.

By H. S. Fangary

The City Council's decision to abandon Conditional Use Permits in favor of a lenient "Alcohol by Right" policy has further complicated enforcement in our troublesome downtown.

The alcohol-related crimes report issued this year by the County Department of Public Health simply confirmed what Hermosans know and regret.

Higher densities of alcohol outlets make cities 9 to 10 times more likely to suffer increased crime rates. Hermosa has an on-premise alcohol outlet density 400% greater than all LA County and ranks 1st among South Bay cities in per capita violent crimes.

The Council's decision made selling more alcohol easier then reduced the size of our police force.

Our police tell us over-serving in bars over-crowded with under-aged drinkers plagues our downtown. But the indulgent "Alcohol by Right" policy deprives them of the robust enforcement actions available only through the CUP process.

During the recent Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Association City Council Debate only Councilman DiVirgilio attempted to defend "Alcohol by Right." Several other candidates urged stricter enforcement of existing policies.

I seriously question burdening a shrinking police force with a permissive alcohol policy lacking the robust penalties available exclusively through Conditional Use Permits.

Our town has fewer cops. Let's back them with better laws.