Fourth of July craziness on council radar

June Casagrande

It’s just a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt or

killed on the Fourth of July. The time for drastic measures is now.

That was the consensus among City Council members and residents

who attended a presentation on Fourth of July policing that included

video footage of wild holiday revelry.

“I have some very serious concerns about the potential for severe

consequences,” said Newport Beach Police Chief Bob McDonell, who gave

the presentation that included statistics on Fourth of July arrests

and the cost to the city to police West Newport for the holiday:

$90,643.

Fed up with years of raucous Independence Day street parties that

have earned Newport the nickname “Zooport,” council members agreed

it’s time to find a cure for the party problem. But they had a harder

time agreeing how that could be accomplished.

During the study session Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Tod Ridgeway

emphasized changing the character of the neighborhood from a

summer-rental place to an area where owners live in their properties

year-round.

Residents suggested a total shutdown of West Newport streets

during the holiday -- an idea that has drawn controversy in the past.

Others suggested halting liquor sales in the area on Fourth of July.

Another option, some said, is making the problem area on the

peninsula off limits to everyone but residents.

City Council candidate Madelene Arakelian urged better enforcement

of housing rules that limit the number of people who can live in

rental properties. And others suggested banning summer rentals

altogether.

In the end, council members agreed it’s worth taking a look at all

these options.

“Let’s stop being afraid,” City Councilman Steve Bromberg said,

urging others to prepare to stand firm against the opponents, such as

liquor stores that might be angered by a city crackdown. “Something

really bad one day is going to happen ....These are constitutional

issues, but I think that constitutionally we have the parameters to

take drastic and extreme measures.”

Council members agreed to bring the matter to a regular City

Council meeting, where the first step will probably be to create a

committee to consider the full arsenal at the city’s disposal.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.