Officials Want To Quash Violence, Crime In Huntington Beach
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Huntington Beach leaders are ready to quash recent violence and crime in the city.
Councilman Dave Sullivan said he's fed up with what he calls inebriated visitors from Los Angeles and the Inland Empire wreaking havoc in the area.
"I'm afraid and concerned that Huntington Beach is getting the reputation as a place to come and raise hell," he said.
KCAL9's Stacey Butler reported that the city has long-struggled to draw the line between partying and public safety.
Last July, when the U.S. Open of Surfing ended, crowds lit fires, toppled portable toilets and damaged city vehicles. When police intervened, officers said some threw bottles and bricks at them.
Less than two weeks ago, a stabbing left three Marines hospitalized and one woman injured.
"What happened to the Marines, excuse me, I get emotional, because I'm down at Pendleton a lot and I know what they've gone through," Sullivan said.
Residents are also frustrated. Terry King said he won't go downtown during big events, where crowds have been drinking.
"They need better security over there to watch people walk away from the bar or stumble away," King said.
City leaders are in the process of adding 10 more police officers and more patrols. They're also looking to add automatic license plate readers.
"I think we have to have a policy that says if you come here to get drunk and act like an idiot, you very, very well might get arrested," Sullivan said.