Environmental Strategies

The Vallejo Alcohol and Tobacco Policy Coalition (formerly VAPC), established in 1992, is a community-based group committed to reducing the toll alcohol and tobacco-related problems take on the neighborhoods and community of Vallejo. The mission of VATPC is to “serve as a vehicle for the citizens of Vallejo to educate the community about the alcohol and tobacco environment and impact policy to reduce risk associated with the consumption of these products.”

ON ALCOHOL:

The VATPC does NOT advocate prohibition. The VATPC recognizes that alcohol has an accepted place in American society. The Coalition believes decisions about alcohol availability should be designed to reduce the risk related to its consumption and that the communities affected should have a say in these decisions. The VATPC strives to create an environment that will protect the community from alcohol-related problems as well as protect the rights of people who want to drink—as long as people consume alcohol responsibly and those who sell alcohol, sell it responsibly.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PROJECTS:

Neighborhood Outreach: The VATPC works with neighborhood associations and local groups to discuss problems with their neighborhood and surrounding areas. The VATPC is then able to serve as a conduit between these local citizens and other public agencies to facilitate change and address problems.

Conditional Use Permit (CUP): closely with the Vallejo City Council, the VATPC (then VAPC), was successful in passing a conditional use permit (CUP) for alcoholic beverages that provides a formal and powerful mechanism for individuals and groups to shape decisions of the neighborhoods. A CUP is an ordinance, adopted by a city or county, that provides for operating “conditions” or restrictions on all new alcohol outlets, and those changing ownership or changing the manner in which they do business.

City Policies: The VATPC has developed policies for the serving of alcohol at special events held on City property or those administered by the Great Vallejo Recreation District. These policies will reduce the potential of alcohol problems fro occurring at events by establishing guidelines for the training of alcohol servers, limiting the number of alcohol drinks at any one serving and cup size, and insuring the availability of non-alcoholic alternatives.

Teen Party Ordinance: The Coalition is helped develop a Teen Party Ordinance designed to reduce the number of large teen parties in which alcohol is consumed. The ordinance has created a financial liability on the part of parents when parties are held at their home, when alcohol is present and the police are called to respond to a disturbance caused by the party. This ordinance generates an increased sense of responsibility on the part of the adults to ensure that they are not part of the problem of underage drinking.

Deemed Approved Ordinance: The VATPC facilitated the passage of an ordinance which allows the City to place operating conditions on existing alcohol outlets that care causing problems in neighborhoods. Historically, cities had been unable to regulate the operations of outlets existing prior to the passage of the CUP. The Deemed Approved ordinance permits Vallejo to require that problem outlets operate in ways that reduce the health and safety risks to the community or the City could revoke their permit.

Responsible Beverages Service (RBS): The VATPC and FBP used to conduct Vallejo RBS courses which addressed the primary factors contributing to alcohol-related problems. The primary strategy was to reduce the number of illegal and potentially problematic sales of alcohol in “off-sale” outlets such as liquor stores and gas stations. Currently, RBS training is not available through VATPC and FBP but referrals are made to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD).

Compliance with Vallejo Window Ordinance: Vallejo has a 15% limit in window advertising. In the past, the VATPC’s citizen volunteers would check the window advertising in local businesses. Community members report that excess window advertising on liquor stores contributes to the condition of blight in neighborhoods.

Application Review: The VATPC takes an active part in reviewing all new applications for liquor licenses within the city. Applicants are required to make a presentation on their business to the VATPC and field questions from the community. A careful investigation is made into the neighborhood conditions, the feelings of neighbors and the needs of commerce in Vallejo.

County Fair: The Solano County Fair, held in Vallejo, has a history of giving away prizes to both adults and children that promote alcoholic beverages. These prizes include stuffed animals with beer logos, drinking glasses with beer company names, and T-shirts with alcohol logos prominently displayed. The VATPC works with Youth Partnership to conduct inspections at the Fair.

TOBACCO RETAIL LICENSING:

For nearly three years, Vallejo citizens from several neighborhoods have expressed concern and frustration over problems stemming from the operations of various tobacco retailers, and in particular smoke shops. Vallejo Alcohol & Tobacco Policy Coalition (VATPC), with support from Solano County Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) and Fighting Back Partnership, has worked extensively with residents to identify a solution. VATPC and TEC’s recommendation is a comprehensive set of ordinances that include: 1) licensing of all tobacco retailers, 2) zoning restrictions for smoke shops, and 3) an annual fee for alcohol and tobacco retailers to fund an effective enforcement program.

On December 1, 2009, the Vallejo City Council passed a land use ordinance regulating where new smoke shops can locate along with some operating standards. However, more significantly, the City Council further committed to developing what is known as a “tobacco retail licensing” ordinance, with specific regulatory measures that increase accountability and compliance among tobacco retailers.

For more information, contact:Mark MoraYouth Programs & Environmental Strategies Manager(707)648-4030/mmora@fight-back.org