NEWPORT BEACH : City Has No Gang Problem, Police Say

Despite recent complaints from residents that gang activity is increasing, Newport Beach police say there is no gang problem in the city.

Residents of the Balboa Peninsula have complained about weekend incidents where groups of young people have congregated near Balboa Pier at night, many of them dressed in apparent gang garb.

Councilman John W. Hedges, whose district includes the pier, said at a City Council study session last week that he has received a number of phone calls from concerned residents.

Police Department officials, however, said that there has been but one particular instance of such a nighttime gathering in that area, and it was not symptomatic of a growing gang problem.

“We do not have a gang problem in the city,” said Sgt. Andy Gonis, a spokesman for the department. “We are a beach city and we attract a lot of people and a small percent of them are gang members.”

The popular area is a meeting place for both tourists and young locals who enjoy the Fun Zone and its carnival-style attractions.

Gonis added that many of the young people who come to the area dress in gang-style clothing--characterized by baggy dark trousers, crisp white T-shirts and baseball caps--because it is a fashionable teen-age style.

He added that many of the young visitors who look like gang members do not, in fact, associate with any of the county’s known street gangs.

During the City Council study session, Police Chief Arb Campbell said his department operates a number of foot patrols in the pier area.

He added that police activity could be increased if the City Council was willing to devote more of the city’s financial resources to hiring and training new police officers.

Some council members, however, said that tossing funds at a problem is not always the best solution and that more community involvement and Neighborhood Watch-style organizations could be implemented.

Hedges said he may look into forming community groups with interested neighbors.