San Diego Beach Clean-Up Slated For Recently Cited People

SAN DIEGO – City Attorney Mara Elliott's office will host a beach cleanup event Monday, part of a program that allows certain people who recently received a non-traffic ticket to avoid criminal charges by completing community service.

The city attorney's annual Instant Justice program is open to people who have been cited for possession of an open alcohol container, consuming alcohol in public, littering, having a dog off its leash and smoking in a public park. Citations must have been received on city property in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla and Clairemont.

Program participants are required to complete six hours of service during the cleanup to have their charges waived. Since the program began in 2011, nearly 250 residents have completed more than 1,200 hours of community service to improve the city's parks, beaches and streets.

"This is a win-win program. Instant Justice gives tourists and locals alike who commit a minor offense over the 4th of July holiday a second chance," Elliott said. "Instead of traveling back to San Diego to face court and fines, they are afforded an opportunity to give back to our community and avoid a criminal charge on their records."

The beach cleanup is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Pacific Beach Shore Club at 4343 Ocean Blvd. Program participants are required to bring their citation, a valid form of photo identification and $40 in cash or a cashier's check in that amount. Guests are not permitted, children included, according to Elliott's office.

– City News Service