Summer keeps cops busy in West Newport Beach

Mathis Winkler

WEST NEWPORT BEACH -- This beach community’s summer problems are more

than well-known to the city’s police officers.

Along with dealing with an influx of up to 100,000 beach goers on

summer weekends, officers also get called out to West Newport Beach much

more frequently when the renters arrive, said Sgt. Steve Shulman,

spokesman for the Newport Beach Police Department.

“It’s an issue because you have people who are coming down here to

have a vacation and are intermixed with people who live here year-round,”

Shulman said.

The renters’ late-night partying often leads to noise problems,

Shulman said.

“We respond [to complaints in West Newport Beach] significantly more

frequently in the summer,” Shulman said, adding that alcohol-related

incidents are also frequent problems.

It also doesn’t help that the permanent residents, who often live

sandwiched between rental duplexes, don’t get to spend every day out on

the beach.

And then there’s Independence Day.

“It is the entire summer encompassed into one day,” Shulman said.

Almost all of the department’s 140 sworn officers will be on duty on

the Fourth of July and will get help from the Orange County Sheriff’s

Department and the California Highway Patrol in dealing with the crowds.

In recent weeks, the police department has handed out flyers to

residents, landlords and management companies to ask those living or

staying in the area for their cooperation. Here are some of the

guidelines:

* Limit the number of guests at a party and don’t let uninvited guests

attend. Homeowners will be held responsible for the conduct of their

guests.

* Keep loudspeakers indoors.

* Throwing water balloons or spraying people with water is prohibited.

* Advise guests to limit travel in and out of the area to prevent

traffic congestion. The area between 32nd and Prospect streets, bordered

by the beach, West Balboa Boulevard and West Coast Highway will be closed

to traffic, as will Seashore Drive between 36th Street and 51st Street.

City parking lots in the area and at City Hall will be closed to new

entries after 2 p.m.

* Take parties indoors after dark and close doors and windows.

* Keep the areas around your home lit to deter criminal activity.

* Department officials urge people to reconsider hosting parties,

since police response could result in arrests, citations and fines of up

to $1,000.

FYI

The West Newport Beach Assn. is hosting a public forum about fourth of

July activities at 7 p.m. on June 27 at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

Police department representatives will report on last year’s Independence

Day events and present plans for this year.