By TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writer
The Hawaii County Council will consider tightening its rules on public drinking today in response to an apparent loophole in the county code.
The proposed amendment would add public parking lots to the list of areas where drinking is not allowed.
North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff, who introduced the bill under consideration, said the law is too ambiguous when it comes to public parking areas, making it harder to enforce.
“Basically, we’re trying to tighten up the law and make it more clear,” she said.
First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dale Ross said there was one case involving public drinking that was dismissed because of the lack of clarity.
That case involved drinking in a stairway used to access a county-owned parking area.
Such a stairway would also be covered under the proposal.
“It could be argued that some of the egress areas to the parking lots as well as the county parking lots may not be included” in the existing law, Ross said.
Police are supportive of the proposed change, said Capt. Richard Sherlock.
Sherlock said public drinking can become a safety issue and a public nuisance if not dealt with.
“A lot of times public drinking is tied into other things,” he said.
“If you just let it go … it possibly turns into fights,” Sherlock added.
“Anything left to fester is going to turn into a bigger problem.”
Sherlock said calls involving public drinking typically come from beach parks.
Drinking is already prohibited along public roads and rights-of-way, school grounds, tennis courts, swimming pools, and about 40 other public parks and facilities.
Still, the county has a long list of parks where alcohol consumption is allowed, at least under certain circumstances.
With a permit, drinking is allowed at 37 parks and facilities from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Alcohol consumption without permits is allowed at another 40 parks and facilities between either the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. or 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., depending on the location.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
