With the beach booze ban in effect since January, residents in beach communities have noticed their beaches not only free from "frat-boy" binge drinkers but also the hardcore drinkers. The transients, who claim they only "play music and make people happy", are upset they are being forced to drink away from the newfound family wholesomeness of San Diego beaches.

However, many residents in the beach areas are happy with the change and welcome police enforcement of the new ban. Residents enjoy the lack of vomit and urine smell in the spots where groups of drunken panhandlers used to loiter.

Since the ban took effect Jan. 15, 24 citations have been issued in Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach. First-time violators can be fined up to $250. Repeat offenders can face a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

Police gave warnings during the ban's first 30 days, but several people at the Ocean Beach sea wall had to be cited during that grace period because they repeatedly ignored warnings, Munoz said.

With the hardcore drinkers not drinking on the beach many are wondering where are they drinking and what impact it will have on those areas.

Some doubt the ban will solve the transient problem at the beach areas. The hardcore drinkers may not be drinking on the sand, but they're still in the area, said Al Sessler, manager of the Ocean Park Inn in Pacific Beach.

He's had problems with the homeless passing out in the front lawn of his business. And he says the dwindling number of hardcore drinkers at the beach may be just a temporary lull.

"Wait for the weather to turn nice.