San Clemente’s Chief Concern

It was like the police chief of this small town had been fired, a man people had gotten accustomed to seeing walking through downtown or at the annual Chowder Cook-Off.

Sheriff’s Lt. William Hunt was suspended as the city’s top lawman last week by Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona for statements he made during his failed election campaign to unseat his boss. And now Hunt’s job is in jeopardy.

And this isn’t sitting well with many of the 60,000 residents of this beach town.

“It’s a sham!” said Tom Brock, 55, who works for a coffeehouse and a construction company. “Carona has no business throwing Hunt out. Only the people of San Clemente should be able to do that, and we think Hunt is a completely decent guy.”

For many walking across the railroad tracks to reach the beach or brushing past each other on Avenida del Mar, the Hunt controversy has become a steady source of conversation since Carona won a third term in Tuesday’s election.

The city gave up its Police Department in 1993 for financial reasons, but it never stopped feeling ownership over the sheriff’s deputies patrolling its streets.

“It was a very seamless transition,” said Bill Bluett, a docent for the San Clemente Historical Society. “Everyone thinks of Hunt as their police chief here in San Clemente. He goes to the same community events. He carries the same respect.”

Many services that seemed unique to a small town police department continue.

“Hunt has made sure that we can still have a deputy or a volunteer visit the house when we go away for vacation,” said Bluett, adding that the practice adds another measure of comfort in a city with a low crime rate.

Adele’s Cafe, in a Spanish-style strip mall several blocks from the main drag, El Camino Real, has served as a center of frustration and speculation over Hunt’s situation.

Many of the city’s 42 deputies often eat there under Coca-Cola umbrellas, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe clocks and a sign announcing that the table closest to the coffeepot is “Reserved for Those Who Serve.”

“It was just really sad news,” said waitress Pam Weddle. “The officers in here are usually joking with me. It’s a lot of fun. But when we found out [about Hunt’s suspension], it was really somber in here.”

Deputies eating from the cafe’s home-style menu of turkey burgers and French dips mimed zipping their lips when a reporter approached them, in light of the fact that Carona had also demoted two of Hunt’s supporters in the department.

“My restaurant is 80% local,” owner Adele Lux said, “and I don’t know anyone who isn’t upset about this.”

However, Edie Biederman was a rare Carona defender: “I definitely want to know the full story why Hunt is gone, but I have to trust that there is a reason behind it.

“I’m a conservative; Carona is a conservative. I think he’s doing a decent job.”

Meanwhile, Mayor G. Wayne Eggleston has demanded Hunt’s reinstatement and the City Council will consider a resolution in support of the suspended lieutenant when it meets Monday.

But the mood on the street was pessimistic about their chances to succeed.

“Carona has been in office for a long time, and now he’s going to be there four years longer,” said Alan Bannister, 68. “He’s the only one with the power in this situation.”