NEWPORT BEACH : Council to Address West Side Crime

The City Council is considering appointing a committee of residents and city officials to discuss how to prevent “deterioration” of West Newport--the coastal strip north of the Newport Pier where crime is on the upswing.

The proposal for a “West Newport Comprehensive Plan” comes after a particularly violent and crowded July 4th in this city that has traditionally drawn so many revelers on the holiday that the entire Police Department is called out to work.

Still, despite the usual heavy concentration of officers deployed in the beach area, a stabbing, a shooting and an assault with a baseball bat were reported. The violence frightened residents and community leaders who called for a plan to end the crowding and near-riot conditions.

City officials have complained that they are tired of spending city funds to curb lawlessness in the area throughout the summer and on holidays. Consequently, city administrators are proposing that the council appoint a citizens’ committee to study the area from Newport Pier to the Santa Ana River. The goal of the committee would be to devise ways to increase property values and decrease crowding and law enforcement problems.

The council will decide Monday whether to appoint such a committee.

The city has already tried to address the problem of “party houses” and absentee landlords by requiring rental property owners to obtain business permits and keep a closer eye on their tenants.

The new committee could end up discussing issues ranging from street repairs to redevelopment, according to a report from Assistant City Manager Ken Delino.

“There’s a concern that the area and its reputation have a potential for tainting the rest of the city’s very high reputation,” said City Manager Kevin J. Murphy. “The Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island used to be like that. West Newport can again be a big asset.”

He added that “it’s time to stop and look at what we’ve got.”

The Council is also expected Monday to approve a $4-per-day fee for parking in the lot on Superior Avenue at West Coast Highway and the purchase of a $1,200 fee-collection box to be installed there. The lot has been a popular one for beach-goers, largely because up until recently, parking was free.