Police to reduce peninsula vehicle access on July 4

The Newport Beach Police Department will reduce vehicle access to the Balboa Peninsula on the Fourth of July by half, Sgt. Steve Burdette said.

The eastbound stretch of West Balboa Boulevard from 40th Street to West Coast Highway will be closed vehicle and pedestrian traffic from noon to 6 p.m. on Independence Day.

The area will be closed due to its classification as a “Safety Enhancement Zone.” The policy passed by the City Council in 2003 triples the cost of the fines police can issue scofflaws.

Last year, officers issued more than 345 citations, 669 parking tickets, and arrested 119 people, Burdette said.

During a shorter time frame, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., westbound Balboa Boulevard will be closed from 32nd Street to Channel Place for the first annual Newport Peninsula bike and dog parade, according to the city website.

The event, which is followed by a community festival, is organized by the Recreation and Senior Services Department.

For more information on street closures and times, visit the city website at https://newportbeachca.gov/index.aspx?page=1564.

—Sarah Peters