OCEANSIDE -- The long arm of the law might soon be sporting a better suntan.

City Council on Wednesday gave more lifeguards the authority to issue citations for a handful of infractions, such as smoking on the beach, possession of a glass container or urinating in public.

The rule change, which requires a routine second vote, won't take effect until next month.

In asking for the extra power, Ray Duncan, the city's manager of harbor and beaches, said repeat offenders flout the law because they know lifeguards can't issue citations.

"We want to be able to handle it without having to call the police down," he said.

Under current city rules, only two members of the lifeguard service -- the captain and lieutenant -- can issue citations. The new guidelines would bump that number to seven by adding the chief and the four sergeants. If the city ever hires permanent lifeguards (most are seasonal), they would get ticket books as well.

"This is not a full-on armed officer down there," Duncan said. "It just gives them the citation authority that they need to perform their job."

The added power won't be granted to seasonal staff, which constitute the bulk of the lifeguard service. But if those lifeguards witness an infraction, they could just call over a supervisor, Capt. Bill Curtis said.

Asked why his department wants the extra responsibility, Curtis gestured toward several vacant properties near the coast where large hotels and condominiums towers are expected to take shape.

"We have to prepare for what's coming in," he said.

He hopes, he said, that it won't take too long for rule-breakers who frequent the beach to get the message, so lifeguards won't have to pull out their pens too often.

On Wednesday, Councilman Jack Feller jokingly asked that the KOCT TV camera in council chambers focus on a small group of lifeguards in the back of the room so that rule-breakers would know "these guys are going to be down there, making them eat their cigarette butts."

Though the council's vote was unanimous, there was some concern about lifeguards' focus drifting away from the water if they take on extra duties.

"In the past, we have been advised that we don't want lifeguards to be having to cite people," Councilwoman Esther Sanchez said.

She cautioned: "This is a change. Be careful what you ask for."

Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 901-4062 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.