Block party ban crucial for safety on holiday

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- In a city where there is a festive atmosphere

year-round, the Police Department is trying to curb the expected

craziness for one of its busiest nights.

Some Newport Beach residents who plan to stay home New Year’s Eve might

be disappointed to learn that police won’t permit street closures that

night.

The department has received inquiries from residents about closing a

section of their neighborhood for block parties. Because of the

anticipated surge in calls, and the uncertainty of Y2K, the department

won’t grant special-event permits.

“When there are parties like this, there are always larger crowds than

what is estimated,” Sgt. Mike McDermott said. “We will already be busy

that night, and we expect there will be many alcohol-related problems.”

McDermott said the department had received about a dozen calls asking

about block parties. Police did support a street closure on Halloween one

year, and McDermott said the decision was a bad idea. The party became

too large -- more than 500 people showed up -- and resulted in numerous

disturbances and arrests.

A Community Services Department permit is required for street closures.

Recreation Manager Marilyn Fisher said she hasn’t received any formal

requests from residents.

“It’s possible people have called, but we forwarded them to the Police

Department,” she said. “If there is an application, and the Police

Department rejects it, it won’t be accepted. We sign the permit based on

the recommendations from other departments.”

Given Newport’s history and the fact that the city has one of the state’s

highest concentrations of liquor licenses per square mile, the police

will double the number of on-duty officers on New Year’s Eve. McDermott

said permitting block parties would probably take resources away from

potential emergencies.

“It creates an enforcement challenge,” he said. “It’s not fair to shut

down a street where some neighbors don’t want a party. It tends to be a

big inconvenience.”