Security tightened near Weider Park

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- City officials have clamped down on a parking lot

overlooking the future Harriet M. Weider Park in an attempt to lessen

residents’ worries about neighborhood security.

The parking lot, with an entrance on the corner of Garfield and

Seapoint avenues, has been a point of contention for many residents

living nearby who believe the area has been a haven for sexual activity,

speeding and noise.

In a Jan. 10 meeting, the city’s Community Services Commission voted

to lock the overlook’s Garfield Avenue entrance gate between 10 p.m. and

5 a.m., when city parks are typically closed. They also approved adding

speed bumps to deter speeding.

“This is basically a community problem that shows we need safer

standards at this street in addition to closing the lot,” said resident

Mary Mason, adding that she doesn’t feel safe enough to allow her

7-year-old son to ride a bike around the area. “Unfortunately, we really

do need the resources of the police, and we want to discourage use of

this area as a lover’s lane.”

Upset residents told the commission they have seen or caught numerous

couples engaged in sexual activity and seen drivers speeding down the

parking lot entryway, the only point of access for the area, and

careening out onto Seapoint or Garfield avenues at unsafe speeds.

Since October, residents have made more than 20 complaints of

suspicious activity at the park, and police officers have conducted more

than 25 patrol checks of the area, said Sgt. Gary Meza of the Huntington

Beach Police Department.Speed bumps would be effective to slow traffic,

he added.

Last May, the City Council approved opening the parking lot gates so

residents would be able to take advantage of the view of sunsets, as well

as the undeveloped land reserved to become the 111-acre Weider Park, also

known as Linear Park.

The Garfield Avenue gate was to be left open 24 hours a day, with an

Edwards Street access closed to prevent drivers from using the area as a

shortcut.