New Haven park target for drinking ban

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - One area of New Haven is exempt from the city's ordinance on public drinking. However a push is on to end that exemption.

As the weather warms, police look to get out ahead of problems at Light House Park which can swell to 4,000 people a day in the summer. Right now it is legal to drink beer and wine in the park; a left-over exemption from the 50's. Now police and some local lawmakers are hoping to stop the drinking which they believe will stop the problems.

"It's more of a tailgating atmosphere and it has become a destination for binge drinking and rowdy parties and we want to give the officers a tool to [slow] that down with and address it," said Lt. Jeff Hoffman of the New Haven Police Dept.

"We have a lot of neighbors complaining about public urination on their front law, changing wet bathing suits into dry clothes on sidewalks and throwing trash around," said Alderwoman Arlene de Pino.

They want to make drinking in the park punishable with a $95 fine.