Hermosa Beach chief: City calm during holiday
Chief Greg Savelli sent this along to report on the July 4th weekend in Hermosa Beach:
The 4th of July in Hermosa Beach was well attended. The crowds appeared to be larger than the past two years, with thousands on the beach, attending parties throughout the City as well as being patrons in our many businesses.
The City population swelled to approx. 100,000 (by rough estimate) by 5pm, when the wind picked up and much of the Beach crowd began to leave the City. Many of the home parties ended around 10pm at the conclusion of the fireworks show. The downtown stayed active until bar closing.
The Ironman competition had about 400 participants and another 500 watching. It took place at the water line and there were no problems. It appears the coordinators of the event were able to keep alcohol consumption to the contestants only and the event dispersed by noon.
We are pleased to report there were no major assaults and the most serious injury of the day came from horse-play where a female struck her head on the pavement when she fell off her boyfriend's shoulders. She was taken to the hospital by paramedics.
The police department handled over 300 calls for service and responded to 70 disturbance calls, consisting of loud parties to illegal fireworks to minor fist fights. There were 18 arrests with the most serious being DUI drivers and for drug possession and sales.
The T3 devices (Stand Up Vehicles) were effective early in the day and for patrolling our walk streets. I will be recommending there purchase if we can secure and/or use grant funds from either Air Quality Management Board or State Funds for technology purchases. If those sources don't work out, we had some members of the community indicate they would donate some funds.
The Mounted Patrol appears to have been well received by the community. They served to provide higher officer visibility both on and off the beach and were instrumental in dispersing a crowd on the Strand that formed in front of a home that was having a party.
The host requested our assistance in moving the crowd away from his home. The Mounted Patrol simply lined up along the Strand (six horses wide) and walked slowly past the home asking those in front to move along. Compliance was not a problem and the area was cleared in a few minutes.
The Mounted Unit was targeted by an individual who threw fireworks under the horses in an attempt to get them to spook, yet the animals remained calm and they were able to chase and apprehend the suspect. It is my hope that we can use this team next year and our local mounted officers for some of our other events, such as the Fiesta's, St. Patrick's Day parade and New Years Eve. This program is just being developed and we may seek to partner with other South Bay Police agencies and maintain our efforts with the Sheriff's Department.
Overall the 4th was relatively calm in Hermosa Beach.
About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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