These were the most-read stories for the week of July 18-24, 2011.
Building ‘Taj Mahals’ with Taxpayer Money
Designed to provide homes for those who can’t pay San Diego’s high rents, affordable housing programs have evolved into a delivery mechanism for social goals that often have little to do with their central mission. The result: a system that is wildly expensive and provides fewer homes for…
Alcohol Crime Shifted Inland after Beach Ban
Inland voters, who permanently banned alcohol from San Diego’s beaches three years ago, are now seeing more alcohol-related crime in their neighborhoods, according to an analysis of police statistics.
Police Won’t Release Emails in Officer Misconduct Case
We requested to inspect the emails of a former San Diego police officer but Police Department lawyers say the records are off-limits to the public, at least for now.
Scandalous City Lawsuit Nears Trial
City’s costs to defend wrongful termination suit could reach $450,000 and mayor could be deposed for a second time.
Morning Report: Crime Moved Inland After Booze Ban
Booze ban knock-on effects, Fletcher talks about his war service, what the U-T’s owner might be up to and SD’s walkability ranking.
Irwin Jacobs’ Growing Footprint
The Qualcomm co-founder and philanthropist talks about his higher public profile and his leadership of some controversial local initiatives.
Helping Weakest Students Could Cost This School
Burbank Elementary decided to focus on struggling students, providing extra tutoring after school just for them. Now that could cost it millions.
Balboa Park’s Contested Parking Plan: A View from the Ground
Preservationists say the parking structure proposed as part of the Balboa Park makeover would change the park’s landscape too much.
12 Questions on the Balboa Park Makeover
We run through the common questions ahead of the key City Council vote on the proposed Plaza de Panama renovation.
Fact Check: Booze Crime after the Beach Ban
Statement: “We’ve had alcohol-free beaches for three summers. What has changed in the beach areas? Alcohol-related crime is down,” Willis Allen, whose family owns the Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages, and Monica Green, a longtime resident of Pacific Beach, wrote in an edit…
I’m Grant Barrett, engagement editor for voiceofsandiego.org. Drop me a line at grant@voiceofsandiego.org, call me at (619) 550-5666, and follow me on Twitter @grantbarrett.