Police Using YouTube to Deter Teen Partying on July Fourth

The Hermosa Beach Police Department is looking for local teenagers to star in the department's upcoming public service announcement videos addressing the Fourth of July, teenagers and rowdy behavior in Hermosa Beach.

The casting call was sent out via the police department's official Facebook page on Thursday afternoon and said the videos will be posted on YouTube ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

"This video will show scenarios of teenagers and the most common crimes we deal with during the 4th," the Facebook post said. "So if you've ever wanted your teenager cuffed and stuffed into a police car sign 'em up!"

The YouTube videos are part of the city's larger efforts to ensure the July 4th holiday is not a repeat of last year's celebrations on the beach.

Last year, thousands of teenagers gathered on the beach near Second street for a party that was broadcast across multiple social media outlets. According to police, that gathering led to fights, multiple arrests and also contributed to the Hermosa Beach jail being filled to capacity for the first time in more than 10 years.

It was an issue important enough to address during Mayor Kit Bobko's state of the city address Wednesday evening.

"We didn't do a good job last year with the Fourth of July and I want to ensure people we will do a better job this year," Bobko said. "One of the things we have started to do already is outreach.... We are going to do some videos that we will put on YouTube directed towards high school kids and younger adults letting them know that if you come to Hermosa Beach, you better be careful and not act like you did last year."

Those interested in having their teenager star in the videos can leave a message for the Hermosa Beach Police Department "casting agent" at 310-318-0341. The department is looking teenagers 16-18 years old with filming taking place over the course of a couple of hours at a time convenient for the teen stars.