Investigation into razor blade incident continues

Suzie Harrison

Police are continuing to investigate why razor blades were hidden on

Main Beach last Sunday, even as more blades and nails were found in a

park in another part of the county Thursday.

Seventeen single-edge razor blades were discovered in the sand at the

beach’s playground about 8 a.m. Sunday

The Laguna Beach Police Department is investigating a possible link

between the discovery and an anonymous call placed four hours earlier by

a woman described to be in her late teens or early 20s, warning that some

of her friends told her that they were headed to Main Beach to do

something to “hurt people.”

Police said the caller said her friends weren’t specific and she

wasn’t sure what they were going to do. She did say about eight males and

one female were most likely involved.

“Officers didn’t know what they were looking for. The call was ominous

and dark,” said police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

A resident found the razor blades in various places on the playground.

Police said they seemed strategically placed -- just partially concealed

in the sand with the blade edge up, “beneath the slide and swing set and

the ledge of the ladder,” Kravetz said.

“They weren’t dropped in the sand but obviously put there in such a

manner with the blade up in places where children could get hurt,” he

said. “It was intended for someone to step on them or fall on them.”

A city worker at Main Beach was approached by the resident who told

him what he had found. The worker immediately disposed of the harmful

objects. Over the radio, he reported the incident to his supervisor.

The dispatcher who received the initial call made the first connection

between the incidents, Kravetz said.

“At 8 a.m. the dispatch was talking on their own frequency and put two

and two together -- the weird call this morning four hours earlier and

this,” Kravetz said.

“Officers went to the scene, quarantined it off and did a search. One

more blade was found. The area was carefully checked with a metal

detector and the sand raked.”

Investigators are looking into whether there is any connection --

though it isn’t suspected -- between the Laguna incident and similar ones

in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa last year.

“It’s still under investigation,” Kravetz said. “We’re following up on

a couple leads and with other cities such as Newport Beach and Costa

Mesa.

“Not to my knowledge has anything like this happened in Laguna Beach

before,” Kravetz added.

The scene Tuesday afternoon at the popular playground was lively with

children playing as usual. Gre Behan from Irvine brought her 3-year-old

daughter Anaya to play.

“There were signs up in Costa Mesa when this happened there warning to

watch out for razor blades,” she said. “But I don’t worry too much.

People are finding them before anyone is getting hurt.”

Mission Viejo residents Steve and Suzanne Hunding brought their

daughters Kristina, 2 and Madison, 7 months, to Laguna to enjoy the day.

Steve said he used to live in Laguna and likes to come here with his

family.

“Of course it’s a concern but in perspective and reality it’s pretty

safe,” Steve Hunding said.

“I feel it’s safe here,” Suzanne Hunding concurred.

“I would have confidence that Laguna Beach being a high profile

tourist area would approach it aggressively,” Steve Hunding added.

On Thursday, razor blades and nails were found in a park in Laguna

Niguel. The Orange County Sheriff ordered a search of all parks within

his jurisdiction.

The Laguna Beach Police Department is asking that anyone with

information contact them at 497-0701.