The expensive zip code where more people are arrested for driving drunk than anywhere else in the country

A disturbing crime stat has plagued an upscale community on the California coastline home to multimillionaires and their enormous mansions.

The idyllic city of Laguna Beach has seen more drunk drivers per capita than any other similar-sized metro in California for the past 20 years.

Now, in an effort to tackle the crisis, police are sending stern warning letters to bars and restaurants where intoxicated patrons had their last drink before being arrested, The Los Angeles Times reported. 

The controversial move has divided the wealthy community.

‘People joke that we’re the DUI arrest capital of California,’ local business owner Heidi Miller told the LA Times. ‘But for me, it’s not such a bad thing. It means our police department is on top of things.’

Shocking statistics have revealed that there have been more than 269 DUI arrests in Laguna Beach in 2021 alone. 

Additionally, there have been 55 alcohol-related crashes in just 2022 alone. 

The exclusive zip code has a perfect storm of factors contributing to the high crime stats. 

For one, the city is positioned between two party towns and the more than 130 drinking establishments that call Laguna Beach home. 

The famous ocean views drawing in tourists have also created what officials are calling ‘ground zero’ for drunk driving.

A staggering 6.5 million visitors annually to a town of just 22,000 residents with tourists flocking to art galleries and upscale boutiques.

Mayor Alex Rounaghi defended the controversial new notification system.

‘The data shows us this is a problem that we need to address and I think this is a really very innovative, collaborative and data-driven way of doing that,’ said Mayor Alex Rounaghi told the LA Times.

‘Any time that we can save a life and prevent future deaths, it’s important for us to do that.’

But not everyone is convinced.

Ivan Spiers, owner of upscale hotspots Mozambique and Skyloft, has fired back.

‘It’s bureaucracy and a waste of money and time,’ he told the outlet.

He argues that in packed bars, it’s nearly impossible to monitor who’s actually drinking the rounds being bought.

The crackdown comes as California grapples with a surge in drunk driving fatalities, which skyrocketed from 966 in 2019 to a horrifying 1,370 in 2021 – including a chilling incident in nearby Huntington Beach. 

Last month, officers responded to a crash in North Laguna and arrested a driver for a DUI. 

In October, an Orange County fire cadet was struck by a DUI driver in nearby Laguna Niguel. 

In one of the most horrific DUIs that Laguna Beach has seen, a 29-year-old woman slammed into the car full of teenagers while driving at more than three times the legal limit – killing all three. 

The three Las Vegas teens were on spring break in 2018 when their Toyota was struck by Bani Duarte, 29, who had a blood alcohol level of 0.28 percent – more than triple the legal limit in 2018.

Duarte was sentenced to at least 51 years behind bars in 2020. 

The California woman broke down in tears as she faced the devastated families of Brooke Hawley, Dylan Mack and Albert ‘AJ’ Rossi at her sentencing hearing.

‘I understand you hate me, wish I was dead,’ Duarte told the victims’ families. ‘You want me to suffer. I just want to say that I’m truly sorry and maybe one day you will forgive me.’

‘What I’m saying is coming from my heart,’ she continued.

Duarte was found guilty in October 2020 of three counts of second-degree murder and one count of driving under the influence causing injury.   

Between January and late December of 2024, Laguna Beach police sent 75 warning letters to establishments both within the city and in neighboring Orange County.

The letters don’t name names but include damning details: the drunk driver’s blood alcohol content, plus the exact time and location of their arrest.

This comes as Laguna Beach restaurants are also calling rideshares for patrons who appear to be drunk.   

Police Chief Jeff Calvert insisted that it’s not about punishment.

‘Often, businesses are unaware of DUI arrests resulting from over-serving alcoholic beverages,’ Calvert said in a statement obtained by the LA Times. 

‘This initiative aims to educate business owners and make our roadways safer. By collaborating with the businesses, we can prevent impaired driving and the devastating outcomes it so often causes.

‘It’s not intended to be punitive because the business owners don’t know what they don’t know,’ he explained to the LA Times. ‘It’s an opportunity for them to look at whether there’s a pattern with certain bartenders overserving or do some additional education with not only their bartenders, but their security staff.’ 

The wealthy beach town isn’t the first to try radical solutions.

In 2010, neighboring Huntington Beach considered publicly shaming DUI offenders by posting their names on Facebook. 

Meanwhile, the problem shows no signs of slowing.

Orange County logged more than 11,100 DUI arrests in 2019 alone, according to DMV data.

Miller has witnessed multiple alcohol-fueled crashes including one where a driver plowed into the iconic Main Beach boardwalk.

For that reason, she welcomes the strict enforcement.

‘We’re watching out for – not only our residents – but the people that are passing through our town,’ Miller said.