West Newport partying is no joking matter

This letter is in reference to the March 3 column by Lolita Harper

(“Take their money before driving them away”) and the letter in the

March 7 Forum from Keith F. Eberl (“Celebrate the Fourth in Newport

Beach, go to jail).”

Both writers either are not fully cognizant of what really goes on

in West Newport Beach during this annual holiday or are overlooking

the facts for some purpose I cannot understand.

In her column, Harper refers to July 4 celebrants as “bikini-clad

beach bunnies and surfers” and “beautiful people.” She suggests that

the city close down Balboa Boulevard and charge admission to a

“carnival-style party zone where people could enjoy an “Annual

Get-Drunk-Here-and-Leave-Us- All-Your-Money Gras.”

In a similar vein, Eberl suggests the city “close down some or all

of the parking lot by the Newport Pier, give one-day patio licenses

to all the bars and restaurants and even have a stage on the beach by

the pier” for a big party perhaps called “Newport Days.”

What they don’t seem to understand is that this annual happening

is a big loser for our city and its residents. A lot more than a few

of these “beautiful people” engage in criminal behavior that

threatens residents and visitors alike. Last year, for example, at

least 50,000 came to party in our rather space-limited West Newport

Beach area. Some estimates even approached 100,000 during the early

afternoon. Busloads of revelers -- many from communities far from

Newport Beach.

As the day progresses into evening and the alcohol consumption

continues, the propensity to urinate and defecate on private property

also increases, despite many city-provided portable restroom

facilities in the area. A mountain of trash also accumulates -- not

just on the streets, but also all over residents’ properties.

Last year alone, even with more than 200 police officers in the

area, there were more than 160 arrests -- about 20 of which were

felony offenses -- and more than 1,300 citations issued. This is a

huge expense for our city, a serious problem for area residents, and

-- of great concern -- could easily become a very violent and

potentially lethal situation.

Because of the seriousness of the situation, the City Council

formed the West Newport Safety Planning Committee -- composed of

residents, members of city staff and the Police Department, and

Councilmen Gary Proctor and Tod Ridgeway -- to focus on actions that

can be taken to significantly and positively impact this issue and

send a message that certain behaviors will not be tolerated in our

community. A number of recommendations were made by this committee

and approved by City Council for implementation in 2003, including

additional funding to support these actions.

The bottom line here is that we do not want to diminish the

importance of the meaning of this annual holiday, especially now when

our nation’s resolve is being severely tested, nor is the intent to

limit people’s ability to celebrate our nation’s resolve is being

severely tested, nor is the intent to limit people’s ability to

celebrate our nation’s freedom.

However, behavior that threatens and intimidates the personal

safety of residents and visitors, seriously harms personal property

and necessitates considerable enforcement/clean-up expense to the

city cannot and will not be tolerated. To make light of this issue or

fail to recognize its seriousness is both naive and very misleading.

Our association fully supports and appreciates the city’s efforts to

positively impact this situation.

ALAN W. SILCOCK

West Newport

* ALAN W. SILCOCK is the president of the West Newport Beach

Assn.