Coeur d'Alene council OKs alcohol at farmers market, ignoring police concerns

Coeur d’Alene has a drinking problem, said Police Chief Lee White. 

Not just a small one. 

“We already have an enormous problem with alcohol in our area,” he told the City Council. “And I just wanted to make sure the council was aware of the gravity and the scope of the issue we’re dealing with.” 

White said since Jan. 1, police have issued 321 warnings for alcohol offenses and written 241 citations for a variety of alcohol offenses, with 26 of those resulting in arrests. 

He said the “overwhelming majority” of those were in the downtown area. 

He said the highest blood-alcohol content of someone Coeur d’Alene police arrested was .38, far and away above Idaho's legal limit of .08. 

“We do have quite a problem with alcohol in our city,” White said. 

Despite the information and opinion presented by White, the City Council approved a request from the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association to allow open containers at the 5th Street Farmers Market.

Councilmembers Christie Wood and Dan English voted no, while Dan Gookin, Kiki Miller, Amy Evans and Woody McEvers voted yes. 

Under the pilot project, beer and wine would be allowed from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays on Fifth Street between Front and Lakeside avenues.   

The trial could start soon and continue through Sept. 25.

According to an association report, the move would boost sales for market vendors and downtown businesses by attracting more visitors and encouraging longer stays. It would also “create a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere that enhances the community experience.”   

The association’s report said alcohol consumption will only be allowed within clearly marked boundaries. 

Emily Boyd, director of the Downtown Association, said a lot of research went into the proposal and other communities have family-friendly events with open containers. 

“It's our intent to maintain that character,” she said. 

Wood said in her 26 years’ experience as a police officer, she responded to many incidents, not just minor ones. 

“I responded to people who died,” she said. 

Wood said she wasn’t worried about someone having a few glasses of wine at the market.

“What I’m worried about is what we open the door to, more and more special events,” she said.  

Wood said alcohol doesn’t always improve an event. 

“In my opinion, it’s not going to enhance the farmers market, just by having the ability to have some beer and wine,” she said. 

English said anyone visiting the farmers market who wanted a drink could simply walk a short distance to a number of restaurants and bars on Sherman Avenue. 

He said there was a potential impact on police and fire departments, and when he read the staff report, he noted it said, "it is the DTA’s intention to see how this pilot project goes and possibly request an exemption for all the DTA-sponsored events in the future.” 

“I just think the potential drain on our resources isn’t worth it,” he said. 

But other councilmembers wanted to give it a try.

“Drinking is fun. We want to make sure it stays fun,” Gookin said. 

He said the city should charge the association more if it turns out additional resources are needed after open containers are allowed. 

Gookin said problems could arise when people who have been drinking come to the market for more drinks. 

“I want to make sure these are things you’re thinking about,” he said. 

Boyd said they plan to hire a security company. She said after four markets, they should have an idea if open containers are a benefit or not. 

According to an association report, they plan to track sales and any incidents or complaints reported during the trial. The association will also conduct surveys and meet with stakeholders.

Evans asked White if police had “tools in their toolbelt” to deal with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. 

He said they did, but the problem is the scope and number of people they were already dealing with in connection to alcohol downtown. 

“Adding to that problem is problematic for us," he said. "We simply just don’t have the bodies to adequately police downtown, at least not to the number I’m comfortable with.”