Nearly 30 people were arrested in San Diego on a recent November evening after the San Diego Sheriff's Department conducted a "zero tolerance drunk in public sweep," The Coast News reported. A total of 28 individuals were arrested in Encinitas and many were taken to a local San Diego County jail.

In all, 21 sheriff deputies and alcohol beverage control (ABC) agents patrolled an area downtown along Highway 101. The sweep resulting in the arrests of those who were drunk in public, were in possession of a stolen vehicle and stolen property, had marijuana, and were caught urinating in public, according to The Coast News. Of the 28 offenders, 13 were taken to jail.

Sheriff Lieutenant Rich Williams told the news source the sweep was the result of a public request for more law enforcement in downtown Encinitas, "based on community complaints ranging from quality of life issues to public drunkenness and fights." It was funded through a  $100,000 grant from the California Department of ABC, which aims to make communities safer by promoting law enforcement actions to reduce alcohol related offenses and by preventing youth from accessing alcohol.

The Coast News said the sweeps could continue through the first week of January 2013.

Fox News reported on another sweep the San Diego Sheriff's Department conducted, earlier in November. This sweep was not part of the ABC program, but focused on apprehending suspects with outstanding misdemeanor and felony theft or drug related warrants. The 6 a.m. sweep ended in 26 arrests. These sweeps, which are aimed at encouraging those with outstanding warrants to turn themselves in, are funded through the Sheriff's Warrant System Automation Trust Fund.