VALLEJO
ALCOHOL POLICY COALITION
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The Heritage Neighborhood Association worked with the owners
of the store for three years to create a "neighbor-friendly" atmosphere
including a name change vrom Val's Liquors to it's new name Val's Heritage
Market
*City Policies: Developed policies for the serving of alcohol at special
events held on City property or those administered by the
Greater Vallejo Recreation
District. These policies will reduce the potential of alcohol related problems
from occurring at events by establishing guidelines for the training of alcohol
servers, limiting the number of. alcoholic drinks at any one serving
and
cup size, and insuring the availability of non-alcoholic alternatives.
*Teen
Party Ordinance: (This document is in pdf format
- see below). The Coalition developed
Teen Party Ordinance
designed to reduce the number of large teen keg parties. The ordinance will
create 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. Passage of this ordinance will,
over time, generate an increased sense of responsibility on the part of adults
to ensure that they are not part of the problem of underage drinking.
*Deemed Approved Ordinance: (This document is in pdf format - see below). The VAPC was also successful in crating an ordinance which allows the City to place operating conditions on existing alcohol outlets that are causing problems in neighborhoods. Historically, cities have been unable to regulate the operations of outlets existing prior to the passage of the CUP. This new ordinance will permit 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 to operate as a business.

VPD Business Liaison Officer Clark working with employee to
bring the store into compliance.
*Responsible Beverage
Service (RBS) Project: The VAPC conducted Vallejo's Responsible Beverage
Service Project 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. The project focused on two areas: 1) reducing sales of alcohol
to minors and 2) working with the retailers/ businesses by providing training
on how to prevent problems from occurring in. the first place. Currently RBS
training is available on
a fee for service
basis.
*Compliance
with Vallejo, Window Ordinance: Vallejo has a 15% limit on window advertising.
The VAPC's citizen volunteers 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. Working with the
Planning Department and Code Enforcement, the VAPC is making sure that the
problem of over-advertised windows is stopped.
Vallejo's ordinance allows only 15% of the windows to be covered
with advertising.
*Application
Review: The. VAPC takes an. active part in reviewing all new applications
for liquor licenses within the city. A careful investigation is made into
the neighborhood conditions, the feelings of the neighbors and the needs of
commerce in Vallejo. (See Listing of Outlets
Reviewed.)
*Problem Outlets:
The VAPC takes a strong stand against liquor stores which pose a health
and safety risk to the citizens of the city. Working with neighbors, the police
department and the Alcoholic Beverage Control, the VAPC works to rid Vallejo
of stores which sell to minors, sell to people, who are already drunk or whose
practices create a magnet for drug dealing, prostitution and public intoxication.
*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 VAPC feels this is the wrong
message to send to our children. The VAPC is working to make the County Fair
a more alcohol-safe environment.
*Zero Tolerance:
California law states that
all minors
who are found to be driving a car, with any alcohol in their bloodstream are
subject to an automatic one-year suspension of their license. The VAPC facilitated
the formation, of the Vallejo Zero Tolerance DUI Project. This group works
with local groups and the police department to conduct public education about
Zero Tolerance through media coverage and community events.
NOTE: You must have Adobe Reader in order to open pdf documents.
April 2001