Police Gear Up for July 4 Crowds

Drinking alcohol in public in Hermosa Beach on July 4 will be more costly this year thanks to a no tolerance policy put in place by police and city officials.

Those caught drinking in public from July 1 through 7 will be assessed triple the usual fine, said Interim Police Chief Michael McCrary. His department is tripling its law enforcement workforce on the Fourth, as well.

The deterrents are being put in place to avoid a repeat of last year's Fourth of July, in which the city's jail could not accommodate all of the 24 arrested individuals. Seventeen of the arrests were made for public intoxication versus just three public intoxication arrests in 2011.

“Please let all your friends and family know that this year’s Fourth of July will be different in Hermosa Beach. We welcome visitors to our community, but we expect them to respect the law and celebrate responsibly,” said Hermosa Beach Mayor Patrick “Kit” Bobko. 

This year on July 4th, about 100 law enforcement officers and staff, including 50 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, will be on hand for "strict enforcement of alcohol and drug laws in Hermosa Beach," said McCrary. Anyone not following the laws banning "public intoxication, driving under the influence, underage drinking and drinking on the beach" will be subject to arrest, jail and fines and court costs of up to $20,000.

“Our goal is to protect the public so that everyone who comes to Hermosa Beach can enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day celebration,” said Bobko.

Law enforcement will also be enforcing a new law for teens under the age of 18, in which they face the loss of their drivers licenses for a year, if spotted with an “open container” of alcohol on the beach or in any other public space in the city, McCrary said.

Law enforcement personnel will be undercover, in patrol cars, on foot, on motorcycles, on all-terrain vehicles and on horseback. HBPD will increase its detention space with a specially equipped bus and will use a 35-foot command vehicle to manage law enforcement’s response to the large crowds that typically gather in the city on July 4th.

The Hermosa Beach Fire Department cited an increase in the number of emergency medical call received last July 4th, including 11 cases of alcohol intoxication. Nearly, all the 16 remaining injuries were related to alcohol consumption, said the Hermosa Beach Fire Department.

For more information, please see a city letter to residents here:

http://www.hermosabch.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=2632.

Information about the “Keep Your Independence” campaign is here:

http://www.hermosabch.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentID=2850.

“Keep Your Independence” campaign videos are here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDVDYpGMwx8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQcGB5hln2U&feature=youtu.be.