New Haven Independent

Posted by: Ned | July 21, 2009 8:32 AM

"Commissioners also voiced concerns about decrease park usage if drinking is prohibited." Because it would really be a shame if drunken slobs weren't trashing the parks. Riiight.

Posted by: angelo reyes | July 21, 2009 8:50 AM

how about pulling a permit for beer consumption for that day only.with the extra revinue you can concentrate on a serios clean-up campain. if you make people aware that your watching,they won't be to quick to do the negatives.banning beer period would cut the parks income by 40%.not good.

Posted by: Streever | July 21, 2009 9:12 AM

Oh come on.

If you ban drinking at the park because it's out of hand and you don't have security you are making an unfunded mandate.

Can our alders get a class on legislation?

Plenty of people drink responsibly at Light House Park. Please don't turn our city into a puritanical mess with unenforced legislation that doesn't stop the problem.

Why not ban kegs? Sounds like rowdy parties with kegs are a problem.

I've had more problems with cars then drinkers when I try to go to this park. Why not ban them instead?

Posted by: Ron Paul | July 21, 2009 9:23 AM

It's the litter that angers me. Drinkers and non-drinkers alike litter all over this park. "Adults" are littering! It seems every time I take my son to the playground, I find cups and bottles and cigarette butts - spillover litter from wandering wedding guests and picnickers. I don't care if people drink but have some respect.

Use a trashcan. It's really that simple. It makes the park nicer for everyone.

Posted by: Margaret | July 21, 2009 9:29 AM

Aren't there already public drunkeness or disturbing the peace laws that could be used to minimize rowdy drinkers in the park without changing the rules for everyone?

Posted by: Brian | July 21, 2009 9:42 AM

This ban on drinking in parks never stopped anyone from drinking on the green during a concert, or at East Rock for a BBQ, or Edgewood, or at the soccer games in the parks, or at the little league games in Quinnipiac/East Shore Parks, or......

Posted by: Mark Colville | July 21, 2009 10:06 AM

As a beer drinker- and someone for whom Lighthouse Point is one of my favorite places on the planet- I say they should pass the ordinance to ban drinking in the park. That way, people like me would simply drink their two beers out of a paper cup, the cops could ignore me and focus on the idiots who get stupid about it.

Posted by: eddie | July 21, 2009 10:54 AM

How about instead of nanny state tactics that punish all users, you crack down hard on unruly behavior regardless of whether drinking is involved?

Posted by: Bruce | July 21, 2009 11:25 AM

Are there really any serious complaints? There are already laws prohibiting drunk and disorderly conduct, as well as public indecency and littering. I like to have a beer or two when I go to the beach. I don't think that should be a crime.

Posted by: Darnell | July 21, 2009 11:38 AM

Why is it that every time someone identifies a small problem (no one has yet to prove that it is any more than that), we have to pass a new law? We have laws on the books now that can address any public drunkenness or rowdiness problems, enforce the current laws.

Posted by: Ben | July 21, 2009 12:58 PM

I didn't know you could drink here. That's awesome!!!
Going this weekend. How cool!

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | July 21, 2009 1:13 PM

If you're going to do something, enforce the nuisance laws. People blast their boom boxes and have no consideration for the desire of others for some peace.

Posted by: Morris Cove | July 21, 2009 1:37 PM

I don't think a ban on drinking is unreasonable at a family park, who wants to bring children to the beach and watch someone drinking beer next to them. I think this is a non issue, and Angelo where do you get the 40% numbers from, please on hot days parents will bring there kids to the park, no one is going to skip the park because you can't drink.

Posted by: nfjanette | July 21, 2009 1:57 PM

Perhaps we've been lucky, but I've never seen an issue which required law enforcement intervention during the dozens of trips our family has made to Lighthouse Park. The park and beach draw a remarkably diverse group of people that seen to get along just fine. The most conflict I've seen was a competition I've seen was a volume battle between the salsa music crowd and the classic R&B crowd, and even that was mild compared to a rock concert. I would agree that kegs and larger amounts of alcohol should probably be banned as a preventative measure, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to station regular police presence as well.

Posted by: William Kurtz | July 21, 2009 2:18 PM

You might just as reasonably ask who wants to enjoy a cold beer on a summer afternoon at the beach and have someone's kids running around all over the place next to them. It seems that there are some intermediate measures before things start getting banned. As has been said already several times, there are lots of laws and ordinances with which to address unruly or disruptive behavior.

Posted by: Streever | July 21, 2009 2:27 PM

Morris Cove:
that's a joke, right?
"Who wants to bring children to the beach and watch someone drinking beer"

I'm sorry, did we decide that people drinking beer in view of children somehow damages them? I grew up watching adults drink beer--most of them responsibly--and have grown up to be an adult who responsibly drinks beer.

I'd be more worried about a child growing up thinking that it's somehow wrong to drink beer, and hiding their behavior as adults.

Posted by: justagirl | July 21, 2009 4:43 PM

If you ban drinking at lighthouse park, you can pretty much say goodbye to most of the weddings and other private party's held at the carousel. And seeeing it costs $425 plus $10 per non-resident vehicle that could equal up to a lot of money the city wouldn't see.

Posted by: Morris Cove | July 21, 2009 6:44 PM

Streever

No it's not a joke, if you think you can't enjoy the day without drinking beer maybe your not as responsible as you think. I assume you drove to the beach and if you're enjoying the day with your children how responsible is it to lounge and drink beer, and then drive home??

And as far as hiding things from your children, that's on you but I wouldn't sit at a public beach and drink beer, that's not my idea of fun, maybe it's yours? to each it's own.

Posted by: anon | July 21, 2009 8:07 PM

The authorities should focus on more pressing issues such as drivers regularly speeding at 50 miles per hour on Townsend Avenue, loud motorcycles and out-of-control ATVs. Those things are much more destructive to the neighborhood. Maybe if we did some real quality of life enforcement, residents would want to have picnics and drink out in their front yards instead of going to the park.

Posted by: CH | July 21, 2009 10:43 PM

Thank you Angelo Reyes

"concentrate on a serios clean-up campain. if you make people aware that your watching,they won't be to quick to do the negatives.banning beer period would cut the parks income by 40%.not good."

This massage needs to be stronger!

When we are aware WE tent to paid attention.

Posted by: REALLY | July 21, 2009 11:09 PM

I WAS THERE ON THE 4TH OF JULY.I DID NOT SEE ANYONE GETTING ROWDY OR GETTING ARRESTED ,AS FOR THE PARK BEING FULL ...ITS THE FOURTH OF JULY FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!ALL PARKS ARE FULL WITH PEOPLE AND THEIR GRILLS.AS FOR PEOPLE LEAVING THEIR GAS GRILLS BEHIND ....PLEASE NO ONE WOULD LEAVE THEIR EXPENSIVE GAS GRILL BEHIND.DEPINO STOP EXAGERATING....I TRULLY NEVER KNEW IT WAS LEGAL TO DRINK IN THE PARK.FOR A PARK THAT ALLOWS DRINKING PEOPLE SURE KNOW HOW TO ACT.IVE NEVER SEEN A FIGHT OR CROWD GETTING ROWDY......ON JULY 4TH WHEN THEY CLOSED THE PARK ANDD TOLD PEOPLE TO LEAVE I FOUND IT VERRY ODD....DEPINO SHOULD FIND ANOTHER COUSE TO FIGHT .LET THE GOOD RESIDENTS ALONE SO WE COULD ENJOY THE BEACH .IF YOU DONT WANT US IN THE COVE SAY IT.

Posted by: EAST SHORE TAXPAYERS | July 22, 2009 6:24 AM

Yes, please BUST (potentially intoxicated) drivers who speed and/or operate illegally loud motorcycles and/or illegally operate ATV's.

You can add your comments re. speeding on Townsend to See-Click-Fix:
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/6138

...or illegal ATV's in general: http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/4469

NHPD, please come and write tickets ASAP at the "Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer" on Townsend Ave. between Sound View Terrace and Upson Terrace. You will make tons of money while helping to keep our children and all citizens safer.

We took some videos but this "SMART" unit is presently only programmed to flash "35" at any driver exceeding 35 MPH so all the speeders incl. school bus drivers and the taxi driver blasting 70+ MPH back from the airport don't get accounted for in the news...YET!

Also, please be sure the "SMART" unit and your radar guns are recorded as properly calibrated so jokers cant get off on that technicality.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/06/caught_on_camer.php#comments

The speed limit is 30 MPH but the average on the section by the Townsend mansion is way too fast at about 55 MPH!

Slow down people or you're going to get traffic calming roundabouts like on Woodward Avenue.

RE. ATV's :
Reckless, noisy clowns on Quads/ATV's (along with snowmobile's in the winter) have also been riding illegally, plaguing the East Shore section of New Haven for years. Blasting up & down Townsend Ave, tearing up Black Rock Fort area etc.

Advance warning for NHPD; they go crazy, blaring past the Townsend mansion just about EVERY evening after a snow storm, zig zagging like drunken Santas on crack, sliding across the centerline towards oncoming traffic, dangerously passing and cutting off cars etc.

We want these uninsured deadly missiles stopped!

Re. dirt bikes, here's another local club that offers a legal place to ride offroad:
"Meriden Motorcycle Club
Description: Meetings held every Thursday night at the club 8p.m. Stantack Road - Meriden , CT. 203-235-9669 (Main contact phone) Terry Byrnes, President & Trustee 203-776-2813 X:180 (Days) 203-795-7076 (Nights)"

"Contact Information: TERRY.BYRNES@RADIALL.COM"

Bring your kids too:
http://itmsphotos.exposuremanager.com/g/meriden_motorcycle_club_-_pee_wee_10am_race_62009_

More clubs from the New England Trail Riders Association:
http://www.netra.org/clubs/list

Posted by: Streever | July 22, 2009 10:08 AM

Morris Cove,

if you knew me, you'd know I haven't owned a car in 5-6 years.

How is it irresponsible to drive to a beach, drink 2 beers, swim, read a book, take a hike, then drive home?

Who said anything about "NEEDING" beer? I think you are letting some personal issues slip out--I don't NEED beer, but I do ENJOY alchohol responsibly, and do not operate a vehicle when impaired--because I wouldn't be impaired. I'd drink 1 or 2 beers in a 2 hour period, which would keep me safely sober.

Posted by: Morris Cove | July 22, 2009 11:37 AM

Streever

Well good for you Streever, but from the start of this back and forth blogging I was refering to the people who drive to the park and get intoxicated, as the article states, from Lt. Hoffman and alder DePino.

As I stated earlier it was wouldn't be a great loss if they banned beer at a public beach, which my family enjoy. I don't have a personal agenda or issues like you alluded to.

Maybe if you didn't read every comment and center around the Streever's Universe, you wouldn't take offense and come out on the attack, unless of course your a secret lobbyist for the beer is our friend at the beach cartel....hmmmm

Posted by: Concerned | July 22, 2009 3:36 PM

I wonder how a ban will affect weddings and large events held at the Carousel which by the way may not even be listed in the $90,000 pulled in for the year. It seems that banning alcohol completely would be impossible to keep the major events happening at the Carousel...

Make public drinkers pay a license fee and sign a responsibility contract get a wrist ban and make an extra $10 a head... Now thats smart.

Prohibition was years ago and ended for a reason what will be next St. Patty's and concerts on the green.

Posted by: robn | July 22, 2009 4:18 PM

If the city banned people from bringing in beer and instead sold it at the park, they could card, cut-off abusive people, and gain an income stream.

Posted by: eddie | July 22, 2009 4:46 PM

Morris: You're making Streever's point for him. The problem isn't beer, it's public intoxication and rowdiness. This state has a very bad habit of trying to legislate good manners and common sense.

There are existing laws to deal with public intoxication and unruly behavior. They address specific behaviors that people generally find intolerable. Banning beer, on the other hand, outlaws a very general behavior that is in itself basically inoffensive.

In short, you're punishing everyone for the bad behavior of a few -- bad behavior that is already punishable under the law.

Also, consider enforcement. If you ban beer, devoted drinkers will inevitably smuggle in vodka in soda bottles. (I'll admit to having done just that at dry parks and beaches.) So you'll still have the unruly behavior to deal with.

What is wrong with this country, where we beg our elected officials to restrict our freedoms further and further. We should be demanding more freedom, not less!

*steps down from his pedastal*

Posted by: Streever | July 22, 2009 4:56 PM

Morris:

your comments were pretty clearly about me.
"if you think you can't enjoy the day without drinking beer"
"I assume you drove to the beach...and then drive home??"

Did you bother to read what you wrote before CONTINUING your petty assault on my personal character?

you start off by saying I am an alchoholic, followed by a drunk driver, then you "mea culpa" and say that it wasn't about me, I'm just an egomanic.

Learn to read. Or call me directly instead of posting petty, anonymous criticisms of me.

PS:
FYI, we aren't blogging, we are commenting on a blog.

Posted by: Morris Cove | July 22, 2009 7:44 PM

Streever

Look I don't know you, or care to know you. I started off by commenting on the article about people bringing kegs, or cases to the beach, which I find irresponsible, in a family park.

For some unknown reason you took it as an assualt on you, I assume you can't carry the keg on you bicycle. I don't think it's such a big deal if you can't drink in the park, I don't want my children seeing it, if you have children, I'm assuming you wouldn't want me and my friends getting sloshed next to you and yours. Not unreasonible, I like cold beer ( Corona ), on a hot day, like the next guy but I don't need it, and if they banned it at the beach who cares?.

Again I don't know you and I'm not saying your an alcoholic.

FYI thanks for the blogging thing, I can bearly turn this thing on, still getting used to the jargon.

Posted by: Streever | July 23, 2009 11:22 AM

Morris:
No unknown reason. You wrote those things directly to me. I quoted them. Look, if writing isn't your strong suit, that's fine.

I pointed out that people can drink responsibly and do so--you replied by characterizing me as a drunken driver & bad role model--you then accused me of being a narcissist--

if you are not very able when it comes to computers/technology, just take it a little easy. proof-read what you write & think twice before you attack others.
It's not that I "took" this as an attack--you directly wrote to me--using my name--and suggested I drive drunk. I'm not even angry or upset, but just pointing out that your argument is lacking.

Those of us who are adults who are responsible enjoy being able to have a beer or two without moral censors chastising us.

Again, I wonder what your deal is. I talk about drinking 1 or 2 beers in a 2 hour period while swimming & hiking, and you write:
"getting sloshed"

All I tried to do was say that a lot of people are capable of drinking responsibly. Secondly, I pointed out that if the Alder is so concerned because there aren't enough police to deal with drunken riots, then how on earth will there be enough to deal with some people quietly drinking from a six pack? It's ridiculous legislation, & your response to me that I'm a drunkard is a pointless response.

Posted by: anon | July 23, 2009 12:57 PM

Thanks for posting those stats, East Shore Taxpayers. I hope everyone concerned will visit those See Click Fix pages and "vote" to have the issue fixed. 70 mile an hour traffic through a residential zone and drunk driving are not acceptable, and much more dangerous than a few drunken people at the beach!

Posted by: Morris Cove | July 23, 2009 4:52 PM

Streever

Look again, maybe reading isn't your strong suit either. If you read my post I wasn't directing anything towards you, I DON'T KNOW YOU, get over yourself. It was a comment in general towards people who can't enjoy the day without drinking, again not you, I DON'T KNOW YOU. If you took it that way, it wasn't my intent as stated in prior post.

And as far as the blogging comment, I wasn't asking for a proof reader, I know what I wrote, I was referring to the computer JARGON, read before you respond.

Posted by: Reader | July 24, 2009 1:00 AM

Oh for goodness sake, Streever and Morris Cove, enough is enough. Maybe you should both chill out and have a beer (not more than one per hour or in front of impressionable children.)

Posted by: Morris Cove | July 24, 2009 8:15 AM

Reader

Your absolutely right, I should know better. Besides my wife has been telling me to grow up for a few days now ( I hate it when she's right ).

Posted by: Ned | July 24, 2009 10:01 AM

What do beer bottles, beer cans, fast food containers, and used plastic water bottles have in common? They are the most common objects found in New Haven's parks. Spend an hour or two, once a month picking up trash in your local park, and I guarantee that your opinion of beer drinkers and fast/junk food consumers will plummet. And what's the deal with bottled water? Is that the biggest racket going on or what? Also why is it that if you do go to a New Haven park (assuming you don't find all of the trash too depressing...), that as soon as you get to an area which is NOT accessible to cars, that the amount of litter is remarkably less than along roads and adjacent to parking lots...

Posted by: Bruce | July 24, 2009 10:02 AM

Oh, everyone scraps with Streever now and then. He's like the NHI message board gatekeeper. Please don't quit posting your opinions.

Posted by: Pennywise | November 24, 2009 9:39 AM

How about stopping drinking, drug dealing, and drag racing at the seawall. Then we move on to Lighthouse park?