Police put end to ‘puppet’ man’s street gig

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- There is a reason why there aren’t any street

entertainers performing at either of the city’s two piers.

An ordinance prohibiting people for conducting “business” or asking

for money for their acts has kept performers out of town.

Last weekend Warren Moore Jr. found out that police were serious about

the ordinance the hard way when he and his puppet were cited at Newport

Pier for operating without a special-events permit. Police confiscated

the 53-year-old homeless man’s puppet for evidence.

“I am a homeless entertainer,” Moore wrote in a note to people who

have helped him. “When the police took my sloth puppet away, they took my

only means of support.”

Depending on the legal avenue the Orange County district attorney’s

office decides to take, Moore could face up to a $500 fine, which he says

he can’t afford.

Police know Moore -- they have seen him before performing for

children. Sgt. Mike McDermott said police officers have never seen Moore

collect money for his act. Besides his puppet, a golf ball and $3.68 were

recovered, according to a property report. McDermott added the

department has received 10 to 12 complaints about Moore using profanity

at beachgoers and in front of the children.

“We were trying to accommodate him, but there have been some

problems,” he said. “He’s insisted he hasn’t done anything wrong.”

Police have had relatively few problems with street performers

congregating along the beaches. The few people who have tried to get

money from beachgoers have ceased once they’ve been contacted by police.

As for Moore’s caged puppet, he won’t be getting his sloth any time

soon.

“He won’t get the puppet until the case is resolved,” McDermott said.