Santa Monica Set for Holiday Boom--in Population

Santa Monica’s Police and Fire departments are bracing for the arrival of half a million to a million people for the city’s annual July 4 fireworks display.

“We have tossed around a figure of right around 1 million people,” Police Lt. Robert Thomas said. “But if we only get 500,000, that’s fine.”

In May, the chiefs of both departments tried to persuade the City Council to ban the fireworks display, which has been presented north of the Santa Monica Pier since 1961. They cited increases in crime and in fires caused by illegal fireworks, in addition to traffic problems. Last year “we had virtual gridlock,” Police Chief James F. Keane said.

Last year police made 16 arrests during and after the show, eight of them on felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and possession of narcotics. And fire officials theorized that the seven fires they fought on the sides of the cliffs bordering Palisades Park were caused by illegal fireworks.

May Be the Last

Although the council decided by a 4-3 vote to present the fireworks celebration this year, several council members indicated that, unless crowd behavior improves, Friday’s display may be the last in Santa Monica.

Police plan to close several streets during the show, change the flow of traffic on other streets and clear and close beach parking lots after the fireworks in an effort to control traffic and to ensure access to the beach in case of an emergency, Thomas said.

Some of last year’s arrests were made after the show when youths stayed on the beach, drinking and using illegal fireworks, Thomas said.

This year, “we are handing out flyers to people entering the beach lots which say that at 10 p.m. the lots will close and we will tow vehicles out of there,” Thomas said.

Under the police traffic plan, Ocean Avenue between Pico and Wilshire boulevards and Broadway between Lincoln Boulevard and Ocean Avenue will be closed from about 8:30 p.m. until the crowd clears out, Thomas said.

Police are also planning to close the westbound off-ramps of 4th and 5th streets and the Lincoln Boulevard eastbound off-ramp of the Santa Monica Freeway about 8:30 p.m.

When the show ends, Colorado Avenue will be converted to a one-way eastbound street from Ocean Avenue to Cloverfield Boulevard.

Fireworks Illegal

The entire Police Department and much of the Fire Department will be on duty during the show, Thomas said.

In addition to maintaining order, police officers will be looking for people who are using fireworks, he said.

All fireworks, including those that may be legally purchased in nearby Culver City, are illegal in Santa Monica, said City Atty. Robert M. Myers. Possession of fireworks is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.

This year could be the last for fireworks sales in Culver City. Page 9.