Fuzz feeding frenzy

Sue Doyle

NEWPORT BEACH -- Most people will still be deep asleep at 5 a.m. on the

Fourth of July. But not Carol McDonald.

The Newport Beach police volunteer will already be buzzing around her

kitchen, putting the final touches on the “Fuzz Feed,” an annual cookout

for officers who work on Independence Day. Some of McDonald’s West

Newport Beach neighbors join in the cookout and bring over some extra

food.

“We love to do it,” McDonald said. “And the officers are all so friendly.

It’s a real special treat for us and hopefully for them.”

The city requires all police officers, and even those on reserve, to work

12-hour shifts on the Fourth of July. Approximately 240 officers will

clamp down on the craziness, for which the town has earned a reputation.

The day’s pace runs at lightning speed for the officers. And it doesn’t

leave much time for a little break, even for a bite to eat.

That was something McDonald and her neighbors hoped to change when they

started the Fuzz Feed five years ago.

“I said ‘let’s have some food for them to give them a break,’ ” McDonald

said.

Only 21 officers showed up to the first one, but that didn’t last long.

McDonald expects at least 140 officers to pop in for a few minutes to

grab a plate of barbecue and a cold soda.

Lunch lasts until about 2 p.m., then McDonald and her neighbors start the

cleanup. They’ll leave some drinks in a cooler for officers to pick up at

their leisure.

But the day’s detail and demand takes its toll, even on the energetic

woman. She closes up shop and recuperates for the rest of the day.

“After that, we’re pretty pooped,” McDonald said.