Letter to the Editor: A Better Fourth of July in Hermosa Beach

Dear Editor:

When I became mayor, I pledged to keep Hermosa Beach safe for residents, businesses and visitors. So in January the City Council, Hermosa Beach police and fire departments and I began preparations to ensure that our city was not overrun on the 4th of July. 

We saw what happened in the past: wild parties along The Strand that escalated out of control, beach brawls, and our eight-cell jail filled to capacity. And just a few weeks ago in Huntington Beach we saw what can happen when a city is not adequately prepared. I was determined not to see those problems in Hermosa Beach.

This year I led your City Council in taking steps to keep the 4th of July celebrations safe and sane. We improved our planning and preparation for dealing with the crowds. Nearly 100 officers, including 50 Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, were out in force on the Fourth, as were other undercover enforcement officers from the state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. We brought a 35-foot "jail bus" that enabled our officers to hold and process arrestees quickly.  If you were in town, I’m sure you also noticed the mounted horse patrol. Fines for offenses such as open containers in public or on the beach, which typically cost nearly $500, were tripled through the weekend.

In addition, I suggested that the city initiate a campaign to communicate to minors via social media that past problems would not be tolerated. We produced YouTube videos addressing the new rules and regulations. We mailed letters to home owners and residents notifying them of the new ordinances and we worked with local media outlets to publicize that Hermosa Beach was a safe place to celebrate Independence Day rather than be known as the place to “party.”

The results of these efforts were notable. We had 1/3 fewer disturbance calls and 2/3 fewer assault calls. We had fewer DUIs. Officers made more drunken arrests; we wrote more alcohol citations and our fire department responded to 50% fewer calls for service.

Our planning worked. We did a better job handling the crowds so everyone was able to enjoy the Fourth. We still have more work to do, and as your mayor and city councilman, I will continue to do everything possible to keep Hermosa Beach “the best little beach city” in California.

 Patrick "Kit" Bobko

Hermosa Beach