san francisco community action live How alcohol is advertised and sold has a lot to do with such problems as driving under the influence and underage drinking. For the past four years, San Francisco Community Action Live (SFCAL) has gathered information on whether alcohol outlets comply with local and state laws, and has educated these merchants about responsible advertising and sale of alcohol. SFCAL has also advocated for new city ordinances and other policies that would make it easier for communities to hold alcohol outlets to high standards with regard to sales, marketing and general operations.
Defeat of "Last Call" Legislation
SFCAL recently joined with a variety of individuals and organizations in successfully opposing a bill in the California legislature (AB 2433) that would have moved closing time at San Francisco bars and nightclubs from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., even though research has linked later hours of sale to increases in public drunkenness, injuries and drinking-driving incidents. SFCAL distributed information on the dangers of a later closing time, issued an "action alert," gathered statements of opposition from organizations statewide and assisted interested parties in writing letters urging legislators to vote down the bill. AB 2433 was voted down by Assembly committee on April 19, 2004.
Deemed Approved Use Ordinance for Alcohol Outlets
What can communities do to address "problem" alcohol outlets — those that aggressively promote and sell products to underage individuals, do little to curtail littering and public nuisance behavior on store premises, or fail to comply with basic laws with regard to alcohol advertising? If enacted by the city of San Francisco, a "deemed approved use ordinance" would hold that alcohol merchants must either meet community standards of operation or risk losing their permit to conduct business. SFCAL has been among the lead groups pushing for a deemed approved use ordinance, but we need community support to achieve our goals.
Check out this deemed approved use ordinance information packet  , from an SFCAL community-organizing meeting.
Contact us for more information.
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