Feeding the addiction, one drop at a time

San Francisco is giving taxpayer-funded shots of vodka to homeless alcoholics in $5m program

Organizers claim 'improves participants' health'

Program provides beer and vodka shots to homeless alcoholics

• Aims to curb excessive drinking among the homeless and prevent deaths

• Despite criticisms about enabling addiction, officials argue it saves money

Isn't this typical of a liberal Democrat?

The City of San Francisco is handing out bottles of beer, glasses of wine and shots of vodka to homeless alcoholics - and spending $5m a year on the program.

The Salvation Army (as well as many people) which pushes for the complete abstinence of alcohol, has criticized the city for spending public funds on the initiative.

Young Children on Field Trip to a Bar

Florida School Board Member in Wilton Manors Under Fire for taking little Children on a Field Trip

to a Gаy Bar. Now why not take them to the zoo? Perhaps they did.

Taking any children to a bar is absolutely stupid in itself and I don't care how long this tradition has been in effect. It makes you wonder about school board members as we sure have some doozies. No wonder there are people I know wanting to kick the Palm Beach County School Board to left field.

Read about it... These children are too young to even know what a "bar" or alcohol is and could care less who hangs out there.

Kid kicks principal; threatens to kill everyone

Shocking Video of High Schooler Kicking Principal in Groin, Threatens To “Kill Everyone”

"Holder was jailed without bond on felony charges of terroristic threats and battery against school personnel, jail records show. He’s also charged with simple battery against a police officer, underage possession of alcohol and alcohol possession on public school grounds."

Lake Worth teen punches guy over a beer and steals $12

Read about it...

It happened in our favorite part of town where things happen on a regular basis.

No one under the age of 21 is allowed to purchase, consume or possess alcoholic beverages in the State of Florida.

Ordinance 2016-15 hours for Alcohol Package Sales in Lake Worth

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The third leading cause of preventable death is alcohol.

Last night, there was a group of merchants from various package stores in our city that were upset with our Ordinance  2016-15 that prohibited the sale of  packaged alcohol products between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.  Mayor Pam Triolo seemed to take sympathy with them. Six of the owners spoke claiming they are losing a lot of income from this ordinance.

If the loss of income is really that great, then there were a lot of alcohol sales after 10pm.  20% of someone's business? That is difficult to fathom. Allowing stores to sell alcohol for 15 hours a day is more than adequate. Those who want to purchase it will buy before closing time and maybe it will even cut down on crime.

We know that people enter a convenience store late at night to have that last drink--buy a six-pack or a bottle of wine, drink and drive or simply walk down our city streets while drinking. As we have so much crime in our city with a lot involving alcohol, not just hard drugs, limiting the hours of sale is a good thing. We created new hours that make sense that should help and protect our community residents, even non-drinkers, from experiencing the many harms of excessive drinking. I still believe that extending the hours for our bars and nightclubs was a bad decision.

The enforcement of this new law is as follows: Any violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be prosecuted as a misdemeanor of the second degree and punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and/or imprisonment in an authorized facility for not more than sixty (60) days. The remedy provided for in this section is not exclusive. The city may pursue any other legal or equitable remedies available under law, including without limitation, code enforcement.

What it says is, Alcohol's 1/10 therapeutic ratio means two shots get you drunk and 20 shots will kill you.  Some people can get drunk on one drink depending upon certain factors such as if they're on medications, their weight, etc. and cause harm not only to themselves but to others.

City issues Press release on alcohol package sales

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RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
CITY OF LAKE WORTH
7 NORTH DIXIE HIGHWAY
LAKE WORTH, FL 33460
LAKEWORTH.ORG

City of Lake Worth clarifies message to merchants about alcohol sales Ordinance makes it illegal to sell “packaged alcohol” products between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

August 11, 2016 – Lake Worth, Fla. - The City of Lake Worth is reaching out to business owners today to clarify messaging on a poster hand-delivered to business owners yesterday. Posters intended to outline Ord. 2016-15 were designed to reach merchants with news of prohibition of the sale of packaged alcohol products between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

To clarify, this Ordinance pertains only to packaged alcohol products. It is illegal for businesses that sell packaged alcohol products to sell them between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The ordinance does not prohibit the sale of alcohol served in establishments, with a valid liquor license.

A 30-day educational period is in effect to assist merchants in this transition in partnership with Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department. Per the City Code of Ordinance - Sec. 5-4. - Hours of sale.

(a) On-premises consumption. No person shall sell, deliver, consume or permit the sale, delivery, service or consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises except for the following hours where a business holds a legal alcohol license: The hours of sale of alcoholic beverages of more than one (1) percent of alcohol by weight shall be from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 2:00 a.m., and 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., each day.

(b) Off-premises consumption. No person shall sell, deliver or permit the sale or delivery of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption except for the following hours where a business holds a legal alcohol license: The hours of sale of alcoholic beverages of more than one (1) percent of alcohol by weight shall be between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., each day, unless otherwise permitted under Florida Statutes.

(c) Enforcement. A law enforcement officer authorized to enforce the laws of the state within the City of Lake Worth may enforce the provisions of this section, including through the issuance of a notice to appear. Any violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be prosecuted as a misdemeanor of the second degree and punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and/or imprisonment in an authorized facility for not more than sixty (60) days. The remedy provided for in this section is not exclusive. The city may pursue any other legal or equitable remedies available under law, including without limitation, code enforcement.

(Ord. No. 2012-05, § 2, 1-3-12; Ord. No. 2016-05, § 2, 1-5-16)
State Law reference— Authority to regulate hours of sale, F.S. § 562.45(2).
County Code reference—Hours of sale in unincorporated areas of county, § 4-17.

Homeless Shelter in Lake Worth

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Project Success Lake Worth Transitional Housing

Beacon Place (Gulfstream Industries)

1507 S Federal Hwy

Lake Worth, FL 33460
(561) 540-4267

General Information:

Project Success
Project Success is transitional housing for and support services to homeless individuals whose goal is to gain or regain economic independence. Priority is given to those who are chronic substance abusers, are dually diagnosed, persons with HIV/AIDS and veterans.

Did anyone know about this?

Lake Worth City Manager on top of Brawl in downtown Lake Worth

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The City Manager is on top of the disgusting brawl and immoral behavior that occurred in our downtown. For those of you who haven't seen the video, Click here.

Lynn,

I saw this several days earlier.  It is a disgusting display of debauchery and what is most appalling is no one is calling the Sheriff.  I would guess the girl was more drunk than on flakka as she is still conversant.  Regardless this kind of public display is unacceptable.  I have already met with Captn Baer about the business and their problems and he is working with his deputies to address the situation going forward.

M

Today at Lake Worth beach

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Dozens of pigeons hanging out on Benny's roof.
Not one pelican was in sight.

Deputy sheriffs all over the upper beach checking out coolers for alcoholic beverages. This guy was ordered to turn around and put his cooler back in his vehicle. Upper photo, one deputy is describing a perp as young, good-looking...don't know what he did.  We were sitting next to two women who were obviously inebriated. The beach was packed and it was a perfect day with calm water. We were told that the heat factor was supposed to reach 100^ today!

Someone was having fun with a bird's eye view of all the happenings.

"Boozing It" made Easier

Lobbyists and Big Business such as Walmart and Target and big food chains are putting pressure on Tallahassee on how we buy our booze (we can already buy wine in grocery stores) and they don't mind pushing the little guy out of business.

80 year old law might change in Florida. It just passed the House Business & Professions Subcommittee and now has two more committees to go through before it gets to the House floor later this year.

Another Bar in Lake Worth

Well, why not? We just don't have enough of them.

This spot used to be Mojitos.  They weren't doing so well and demanded that the city allow them to become a nightclub so that they could stay opened to the wee hours of the morning. They stayed opened past legal hours anyway in spite of what the City said. It then turned into a gay and lesbian bar. Now we have Tequila Ron, a nightclub?

Downtown Lake Worth

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BEVERAGE VIOLATION-- 14052876-- 400 BLOCK LAKE AVE-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 3/23/2014 11:59:00 AM (What can you expect with every Tom, Dick and Harry having a beer/wine and/or liquor license?)

ASSAULT--14053018--000 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--3/23/2014 6:53:00 PM

According to our Ordinance--No person shall sell, deliver, consume or permit the sale, delivery, service or consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises except for the following hours where a business holds a legal alcohol license:
(a) The hours of sale of alcoholic beverages of more than one (1) percent of alcohol by weight shall be:
 (1) 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 2:00 a.m., and 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
 (2) 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 2:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. (Noon) to 11:59 p.m., Sunday.
Who knows?  That might have changed by now.

Back in December 2011, Greg Rice, who was the vice chairman of the executive board for the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce, said allowing downtown restaurants to serve alcohol without getting a distance waiver will help make it easier to attract new restaurants downtown. City Commissioner Andy Amoroso,  a downtown merchant, said removing the need for waivers for downtown restaurants will help make the area more attractive.

As this is a business driven commission, restaurants don't need waivers--they now all get them automatically no  longer having to come before the city commission.  This dais gave that responsibility away to the Planning & Zoning and Historical Preservation Boards. 

It's intoxicating

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Get ready for a LOT of beer being sold over this Street Painting festival weekend. If it's an approved city held event you can now walk around with an open container.  This was passed by this commission on September 3, 2013 on a 4/1 vote, McVoy dissenting.

What it says: This Ordinance now allows for the possession and consumption of approved alcoholic beverages at City coordinated events and within the approved event boundaries. Locations to include: Bryant Park, Cultural Plaza, City streets, Beach Complex and other designated City event spaces used in the production of City coordinated events.

It's going to be one heck of a party-time. But the latest City of Lake Worth "rule" is restrictive on those businesses that have licenses to sell alcohol.  They have to ensure that their patrons don't walk out with a go-cup if a not for profit is competing with them at this city sponsored event. Does anyone remember this ever being discussed?

The Mod Squad was told by the city of Lake Worth's Events Coordinator that,

"When a non-profit (501(c)(3) petitions to close a street for events, and that non-profit uses alcohol as part of its fund-raising efforts, the other vendors of alcohol within the business district are prohibited from allowing the sales in their establishments from going into the streets.

To protect yourselves from fines and loss of license, you must post a sign at every exit saying that no alcoholic beverage can be taken from the establishment past the exit.

This, and your vigilance, should protect you from any fines or retribution. Please take the precaution of photographing your signs at each exit as proof of your compliance."

Crime

I guess if the sheriff hung out around here all day and night, they could give tickets to dozens of people. But we have way too much crime in our city. This is right around the same area where a guy sets up a little booth and sells counterfeit videos and nothing is done about it.

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--14038901--1200 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/15/2014 1:53:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--14038899--1200 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/15/2014 1:50:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--14038887--1200 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/15/2014 1:25:00 PM

Oh hell, it was Valentine's Day

No one cares about these crimes; after all they are happening west of the railroad tracks on the "other side" of town. When we have planning & zoning boards granting proximity waivers like M&M's and commissioners approving of same, what can you expect?

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--14038612--1200 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/14/2014 5:06:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--14038605--1200 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/14/2014 4:37:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--14038571--1300 BLOCK LUCERNE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff --2/14/2014 3:17:00 PM

Hey Venus, oh Venus, make my wish come true

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1414 Lake Avenue

What's worse?  The obnoxious sign or the fact they are trying to

pull one over on the city?

I want what I want when I want it and there are city board members as well as commissioners who allow it all to happen.

On April 3, 2012, the Venus Cafe got its proximity waiver for a 2COP license...they just had to have it in order to help their business be successful.  The owner spoke before the commission.  Loretta Sharpe, former member of the Historical Resource Preservation board,  spoke before the commission as well, advocating for the owner.  Well, why not?  Everyone gets waivers in this city when it comes to alcohol.  Soon after the commission voted it in, the owner "temporarily" closed it for ...?  Nearly two years later, it is still closed.

Man arrested for child neglect and resisting arrest

Read about a guy who was arrested. He admits being drunk when he left the Lake Worth beach and drove through our city to his home in suburban Lake Worth.  Click here.

Sunday Fun Day

Palm Springs wants to change its city code allowing alcohol to be sold on Sundays beginning at 7am. The city said that it wanted its retail alcohol sales to be more in line with surrounding cities and that the present code was "unfair" to businesses.  They cited 5 municipalities where they reviewed code but Lake Worth was not one of them.

LAKE WORTH CODE
Sec. 5-4.
Hours of sale. No person shall sell, deliver, consume or permit the sale, delivery, service or consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises except for the following hours where a business holds a legal alcohol license:
(a) The hours of sale of alcoholic beverages of more than one (1) percent of alcohol by weight shall be:

 (1) 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 2:00 a.m., and 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
 (2) 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 2:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. (Noon) to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Drunk on Akron

DRUNK DRIVER--13117813--LAKE WORTH RD & AKRON ST--9/8/2013 1:08:00 AM

It was probably that speed bump that got his brain all rattled. He disembarked from his vehicle walking like a drunk.

A Drunk takes on PBSO

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We don't want these people in OUR city.

Read about the creep who tried to drive his car into a PBSO deputy in Lake Worth

Will the new ordinance on drinking at special events cause more of this? I wonder what the PBSO has to say about it all.