Police arrested more than 400 people during Fourth of July celebrations on the Balboa Peninsula after thousands of juveniles and young adults flooded the area, city officials announced Sunday.
Some 350 personnel from the Newport Beach Police Department along with 17 other regional law enforcement agencies responded beginning around 7 p.m. Saturday amid reports of large crowds lighting fireworks and engaging in fights, according to a statement from the city of Newport Beach.
At 8:25 p.m., an unlawful assembly was declared in the area of 26th Street and the beach due to large, unruly crowds, and all residents were asked to shelter in place until further notice, according to police.
By 10:50 p.m., all beaches in the city were closed and officers were actively clearing traffic from the Peninsula, police said. At 3:30 a.m., the southbound lanes of Balboa Boulevard at Newport Boulevard were reopened.
“The city’s response was the result of months of planning and preparation. Ahead of the holiday, Newport Beach increased police and fire staffing, expanded Safety Enhancement Zones, partnered with regional law enforcement agencies, established a mobile booking station and conducted proactive enforcement throughout the Peninsula. These measures enabled officers to rapidly mobilize regional resources, restore public safety and protect the tens of thousands of residents and visitors who celebrated responsibly throughout the holiday,” the statement said.
Video from the scene showed police on horseback charging into a crowd on the beach to break up violent revelers. Some people could be seen throwing punches at other partygoers.
An unknown number of officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries while trying to calm the crowd.
“One Newport Beach police officer was struck by a mortar and evaluated by Newport Beach Fire Department personnel at the scene before being released,” according to the statement.
The 402 arrests far exceeded the 60 arrests during the same period — midnight July 3 through 6 a.m. July 5 — last year, according to the statement.
Among the arrests were about 200 people who lingered near 28th Street after being told to disperse. A nearby Pavilions store was also looted Saturday night.
“Our officers remained focused on one priority throughout the evening, protecting our community and restoring public safety,” said Newport Beach Police Chief Dave Miner. “The extensive planning that went into this holiday, combined with the professionalism of our officers and our mutual aid partners, allowed us to respond quickly to a dangerous situation, restore order and protect the thousands of residents and visitors who came to Newport Beach to celebrate responsibly.”
According to the city’s statement, the period included 102 emergency incidents and 10 fires, while 44 patients were transported to local hospital, including six who were described as “trauma patients.”
Early Sunday morning, the city’s Municipal Operations crews “removed debris, cleaned streets, sidewalks and public spaces and restored the Balboa Peninsula following the holiday celebrations.” Police were expected to remain deployed throughout the weekend to provide a visible presence to deter any further incidents.
“The city will continue to evaluate this year’s response and work with law enforcement partners, the community and local businesses to identify additional measures to deter unlawful behavior while preserving a safe, welcoming environment for residents and visitors during future holiday celebrations,” according to the statement.