Council accepts $18,800 Long Beach Aware grant for underage-drinking operations amid public debate

The City Council voted to accept $18,800 from Long Beach Aware to fund police operations aimed at preventing underage drinking, including overtime for focused enforcement and outreach.

Long Beach Aware director Judy Vining and Police representatives described the program as a combination of enforcement and education. Vining explained that youths who receive violations are offered an education class rather than a punitive record if they complete the program; the program, she said, has a pre- and post-test and an essay requirement for participants and is designed to reduce harm and connect youth to education and resources. Vining said the program partners with the courts, prosecutors and police and that staff have intentionally structured the program to avoid creating long-term criminal records for participants when the diversion option is used.

The public comment period produced extended debate. A council-aligned local bar owner and commenter objected to the city paying police overtime to act as 'guest doorman' and said responsibility should lie with establishments; other residents and Long Beach Aware supporters countered that owners do not always follow the law and that the program reduces risk and connects youth to education. Stakeholders discussed whether confiscation of fake IDs and diversion to education can still produce records visible to employers or schools; Vining said the program's design minimizes lasting records and cited data on program outcomes and safety gains. Police staff affirmed the grant may be used for past, present or future overtime within grant rules and said the city has been renewed for similar grant funding for next year.

Council approved the grant acceptance as part of the block vote on items 1–9.