Newport Beach : Beefed-Up Police Patrols Credited for Quieter 4th

A beefed-up police patrol of 215 officers, up from 160 last year when rioters pelted police with rocks and sand-filled beer bottles, was credited Monday with allowing Newport Beach visitors to enjoy a relatively sedate Fourth of July weekend.

“We think it made the difference,” police spokesman Kent Stoddard said of the additional 55 officers. “Our high visibility had a great deal to do with keeping the situation under control.”

Police made 174 arrests from the morning of July 3 to the evening of July 5, Stoddard said. Just 20% of those arrested live in Newport Beach, he said, adding that this was the first year the department had broken down arrest figures by city of residence.

Through Sunday morning, police also wrote 1,842 parking tickets, 836 traffic tickets, 411 citations for alcohol offenses, 66 for fireworks offenses, 12 for narcotics offenses and 69 for miscellaneous offenses, Stoddard said.

Last year one police officer was injured and 159 people went to jail after rowdy holiday parties escalated into a mini-riot.

The high police profile left at least one Newport Beach liquor store manager unhappy. “Police killed business,” the man said, asking that neither he nor the store be identified.

“Police were walking shoulder to shoulder on the sidewalk. Our sales were down about 30% to 40% from last year.”

Several other liquor stores also reported lower sales, but some said business was steady, although less beer was sold because of a police request that only canned alcoholic beverages be sold. “No Coronas,” said Tim Hirota, assistant manager at Rolf’s Wines & Spirits, “but more wine.”