4th revelry not too rowdy

Costa Mesa officers gave out at least 42 civil citations for abusing fireworks on the Fourth of July and during the two days before the holiday, officials said Monday.

The police shied away from giving out tickets last year — only one was issued — but this year resident complaints and calls from city officials led to fewer warnings and more bookings. Police Chief Chris Shawkey said last year was an anomaly, and the increased number of citations brings Costa Mesa back in line with prior years’ numbers.

The number of citations increased substantially even though the amount of personnel handing out the citations decreased.

“We were placing more of an emphasis on education and warnings [last year], and this year we decided to go more with enforcement,” Shawkey said.

Eight citations were given to people using outright illegal fireworks, and carry a $500 fine, according to City Manager Allan Roeder. The rest were for people misusing legal fireworks by modifying them, throwing them or lighting them outside of the permitted time frame.

For the second year in a row the Fourth of July fell on a weekend, but neither Newport Beach nor Costa Mesa saw a significant increase in arrests or major incidents, police said.

During the holiday, the Newport Beach department concentrates most of its units on the peninsula — one of the most popular spots in the county to congregate. The upper streets, around the 40s and 50s, are known by locals as the “war zone.” Huge crowds mill about, walking from party to party, patio to patio.

This year there were at least 120 arrests, based on unofficial police data Monday.

“It’s the routine stuff you see every year: intoxicated individuals, fights, things of that nature,” said Sgt. Scott McKnight.

Newport Beach doesn’t allow fireworks.