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


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

* Conditional Use Permit (CUP): (Part 1 and Part 2 - these documents are in pdf format - see below)Working closely with the Vallejo City Council, the 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 the City makes which may affect the quality 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: 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.

 

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April 2001