According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Laguna Beach has consistently had the highest number of DUI arrests per capita among cities of its size in California for at least two decades. For example, in 2021, the Laguna Beach Police Department reported 269 DUI arrests, up from 247 the previous year, despite the city having a small resident population of about 22,000. This high arrest rate is notable when compared to the city’s size, but with over 130 alcohol-serving establishments and millions of visitors each year, the city faces a persistent challenge with impaired driving
To address this, the Laguna Beach Police Department (LBPD) launched a groundbreaking initiative in 2024 to notify businesses when a DUI arrest is linked to their establishment. This program aims to reduce drunk driving by fostering awareness and responsibility among local bars, restaurants, and hotels.
How the Initiative Works
Under this new program, when a patron is arrested for DUI after consuming alcohol at a business, the LBPD sends the establishment a notification letter. This letter includes critical details such as the date, time, and location of the arrest, along with the offender’s blood alcohol content (BAC) if available. The goal isn’t to punish businesses but to educate them. By providing this information, the police hope businesses can identify patterns or lapses in their alcohol service practices and take steps to prevent future incidents.
The Purpose: Education Over Punishment
Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert emphasized that the initiative is a collaborative effort. “Often, businesses are unaware of DUI arrests resulting from overserving alcoholic beverages,” he said. “This initiative aims to educate business owners and prevent impaired driving.” The notifications encourage establishments to review their policies, train staff to spot signs of intoxication, and promote alternatives like rideshares. This aligns with the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations, which mandate that businesses monitor patrons’ alcohol consumption and avoid overserving. The program serves as both a reminder and a tool for improvement.
Mixed Reactions from the Community
The response from business owners has varied. While some business owners are supportive of the initiative, others consider it a waste of law enforcement money and time. Other business owners contend that to encourage wait staff and other employees to recognize and address inebriated patrons in the busy, hurried environment of a crowded restaurant or bar may sound good on paper but is unrealistic.
A Model for the Future?
Laguna Beach’s high DUI arrest rate reflects both its proactive policing and its unique challenges—geography, nightlife, and tourism. By notifying businesses, the LBPD aims to create a culture of accountability that could lower these numbers. But will it work? If effective, this data-driven approach might inspire other communities grappling with similar issues to adopt a comparable strategy.
The initiative is a bold, proactive step toward safer roads. While it’s too early to measure its full impact, the program highlights the shared responsibility between law enforcement and businesses in combating impaired driving. Whether it becomes a statewide model or sparks debate, it’s a conversation worth having. If the initiative demonstrates results—lower DUI arrests and DUI injuries and fatalities, then it might be model that will save lives on the roads in California.
Orange County DUI defense attorney William Weinberg is available for a free consultation to discuss your DUI-related matter. You may contact him at his Irvine office by calling 949-474-8008 or by emailing him at bill@williamweinberg.com.