‘Party’s Over,’ Palm Springs to Inform Youths

Spring-break revelers visiting Palm Springs next year may be greeted at the city limits by a large sign warning that all laws will be strictly enforced.

The sign was among 19 recommendations approved Thursday night by an Easter week citizen’s task force formed in the wake of the March 28 melee in which more than 100 youths were arrested.

The recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council for action.

Among the suggestions were high police visibility; enforcement of all laws; establishment of police command centers at Frances Stevens Park where this year’s rioting erupted; adoption of an ordinance regulating sleeping outdoors; recruiting citizens for minor police duties so sworn officers may concentrate on crowd control and sending news releases to campuses advising students of orderly Easter week activities the city has planned.

“We need to send the message out that the party’s over,” said Alexander Grovue, a task force member. “If we get the word out early enough that it’s a family Easter week celebration, they (the students) are not going to want to come. They’ll think it’s dullsville.”

The volunteer committee was formed in May. Forty-three people attended the first meeting on May 3, about 30 were at the second meeting May 8 and Thursday night 21 task force members were present. Police Chief Tom Kendra headed the meetings.