LETTER TO THE EDITOR:Glad to have thoughtful visitors

I would like to clarify some residents’ concerns regarding overnight disturbances in neighborhoods near beaches (“Beach dwellers propose parking permits,” Sept. 13). We who live in the affected areas happily greet beach visitors at all times of the year and enjoy interacting with them. For the most part, visitors are cordial and respectful that they are visiting a residential area with families, children and all other aspects of a neighborhood. Our residents generally keep well-maintained homes and colorful gardens, which add to the enjoyment of the visitors’ experience at the beach.

However, late at night, the environment deteriorates significantly as described in the Daily Pilot article. The types of problems that we experience are not easily dealt with as law enforcement issues because they happen too quickly at times when it is impossible for us to identify the culprits — but they do happen.

When a car alarm sounds in the middle of the night and revelers shout with delight as they drop their beer or liquor containers in our gardens and streets, there is little time for residents to get license-plate numbers and vehicle identifications, but the incidents wake us and leave us with debris to clean up in the morning (and occasional vandalism). Graffiti often accompanies these incidents, and although the city is good about responding to graffiti cleanup requests, graffiti indicates the presence of an element that defaces property under the cover of darkness and anonymity. Trespassing is also in issue as visitors enter yards to turn on (and occasionally leave on) faucets to get drinks and wash off beach sand.

Does it seem unreasonable for us to ask for support in trying to get control of our neighborhoods late at night?

We who live here enjoy the environment and the variety of nonresidents who visit the beaches, and we respect their desire to do so. We simply ask that we get some support for the protection of our property and quality of life at times when no one should be on the beaches. Late-night parking restrictions is one low-cost way to promote peace and quiet in neighborhoods that have significant after-hours disturbances.

We think this a reasonable request, and we are interested in discussing all other viable alternatives.

KENNETH DRELLISHAK

Balboa Peninsula Point