Caught On Camera: Police Break Up Rowdy Venice Beach Drum Circle
VENICE BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A Venice Beach drum circle got out of hand Sunday when police ordered a crowd to disperse.
CBS2's Art Barron reported that beer bottles were thrown at officers when the group of about 500 people was told to leave at sunset, which was part of a city ordinance designed to reduce the noise along the boardwalk.
"There's no questions asked. They force everyone off the beach," Ben Bernie, a drum circle participant, said.
Los Angeles police Lt. Steve Lurie said many in the crowd had been drinking and a few bad apples created problems.
"Last night, a small group of the total group assaulted our officers. They threw glass bottles at our police vehicles and at our officers," Lurie said.
An 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man were arrested for interfering with police.
"It's unavoidable that when you get thousands and thousands of people in one place, in hot weather, and they start drinking alcohol…once in a while, there will be a flare up like there was last night," Lurie said.
Authorities said they now plan to add extra patrols in the area.
