Public consumption of alcohol law dates to 1957
By Per Peterson
A public hearing will take place at the July 26 Tracy City Council meeting concerning the consumption of alcohol on public property in Tracy.
At issue is amending a 64-year-old city ordinance that says consumption of alcohol on any city property is prohibited.
“It (the ordinance) is intended to avoid any public intoxication,” Tracy City Administrator Erik Hansen said at the most recent council meeting.
The ordinance is clearly antiquated. The City has for years allowed drinking on public grounds during Box Car Days through a permitting process, but it’s presumed that consumption of alcohol also has taken place in other public areas of town.
“Our intent is to modify (the ordinance) to allow you to do it by permit — it wouldn’t be allowed unless the city council allowed it,” Hansen said. “Right now, it’s just a blanket ban, and we’re violating it currently in some cases.”
Council member Ron Koopman asked Hansen at the council meeting if any regulations pertaining to alcohol consumption are posted on public property in town, such as parks, and Hansen doesn’t believe any such postings exist.
See if this week’s Headlight Herald for more on this article.