It may be the last call for alcohol consumption in Langley’s public parks.

The Langley City Council will discuss adopting a municipal code to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public parks at its next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Public drinking is prohibited under state law. Police Chief David Marks feels the city should follow suit.

“A lot of people just think that when they get to the [Seawall] park that they can consume alcohol, but that’s not the case,” Marks said at the meeting. “We really should create a municipal code that mirrors it.”

Marks said in a phone interview Thursday afternoon that he’s noticed a rise in public drinking at parks over the past few months. He said drinking is especially prevalent around Seawall Park, as the location is somewhat isolated from the rest of downtown. Councilwoman Rene Neff said at the meeting that it’s a common destination for people who have grabbed food and a beer from the Village Pizzeria or Star Store.

“Legally, they can’t do that,” Neff said.

Marks was unsure why a municipal code prohibiting public drinking wasn’t already in place, but ventured to guess that it’s only because it has recently become an issue. Encounters with drinkers have never escalated beyond reminders, Marks said.

“We usually remind them that they can’t consume alcohol in public, but we really need our own municipal code,” Marks said. “I don’t know of any city that doesn’t regulate their parks and allows alcohol.”

Councilman Thomas Gill said in an interview Thursday that rumors about one of Langley’s “social organizations” posting a photo on social media of people drinking beer on the beach near Seawall Park may have been related to the topic being raised by Marks at the meeting. He felt changing the city’s code, however, isn’t necessary due to it already being state law. By posting a sign detailing the law and updating the city’s fee schedule, the issue can be addressed and properly enforced.

“All we need to do is post that it’s a state law,” Gill said. “We don’t need to adopt something in addition to what the state already has.”

Drinking in the parks isn’t all that bad in the eyes of Councilwoman Dominique Emerson. While she agreed the city’s code should match state law, she likes the thought of people being able to relax and enjoy a pizza with a drink. She also doesn’t see the issue spiraling into the city becoming the next Bourbon Street.

“Personally, I think having a glass of wine or beer is fine,” Emerson said. “I like the way Langley has been open to allowing some fun and not always assuming the worst in every situation. I understand as a policeman, all you see is the worst. But, I see a lot of things that are good.”

“I think Langley is a wonderful place and I’d like to see it stay that way,” she added.

Hours of operation for parks will also be discussed at the next meeting at Marks’ request. Marks said that along with an increase in public drinking, he’s noticed an uptick in homeless and narcotics activity in the park as well — heroin syringes have been found on the ground. Park hours should be publicly posted, he said, which will assist police in enforcement but also show that the city is making an effort to address the problems.

“It’s a matter of us managing a park that the city is responsible for and showing, in a good faith effort, that we’re trying to manage it,” Marks said. “And, if we don’t and somebody steps on it [a syringe] we’re going to get sued.”

Gill said he wouldn’t be opposed to restrictions, though they may be tough to enforce.

“It’s a difficult thing because I’m not sure how easily we can enforce it with what we have for police staff,” Gill said.

Residents could also be negatively affected by restrictions when it comes to events such as last weekend’s Perseid meteor shower.

“Going to the parks are the best places to go because there’s so little light around them,” Gill said.