New 10 P.M. Curfew Due at 2 Beaches

A 10 p.m. curfew aimed at curbing fights and vandalism will be imposed at two state beaches in Orange County beginning April 1, prompting neighboring cities to consider the same move.

The curfew ordered by the state Department of Parks, Beaches and Recreation will affect Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach, “the last of the late-night beaches for campfires and hanging out,” lifeguard supervisor Joel Milligan said. During the winter, the curfew at those beaches will be 8 p.m.

“During the day, we provide for family-oriented activities, but as it gets darker the activities turn to hanging around the campfire,” Milligan said. That has led to fights, vandalism and break-ins of cars parked in the beach lots, he said.

“By cutting back on those hours, we can cut back on that partying attitude,” Milligan said. “We still are allowing couples to enjoy a romantic fire. The only difference is that it has to be done at 10 p.m.”

The only people allowed on the state beaches after hours will be those with a valid fishing license.

The two state beaches as well as those in Huntington Beach now remain open until midnight. Newport Beach closes at 11 p.m., except for a strip that closes at 10. The rest of the beaches in the county also close at 10 p.m., Milligan said.

But officials in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, fearing that vandals will migrate there when state beaches close, have begun to consider curfews of their own.

“The problem is that we are surrounded by state beaches, and all the people from state beaches might flock over to our beach,” Huntington Beach Police Lt. Chuck Poe said. “The city has not done anything yet, but because of the state, we are looking into it.”

Capt. Bill Richardson of the city’s marine safety division said officials will see how the beach areas fare during Easter weekend, beginning April 9, before deciding on a curfew.

Richardson, who has camped out on the beach several times to observe, said his city has experienced an increase in gang activity, but nothing alarming.

“They (gang members) make themselves obvious by signing and posturing to each other,” he said. “You can see what gangs are there based on the tags they leave on the (beach) facilities. There are occasional arrests . . . for mostly minor infractions.”

Newport officials said they too will consider earlier beach curfews.

Acting Police Chief Jim Jacobs said that city doesn’t have its own gangs, “but we do have gangs within blocks who more frequently are coming to town to carve out a piece of the beach for themselves.”

If state beaches close earlier, “they will be looking for available places to go, and I want to make sure that Newport Beach is not attractive for that kind of activity,” Jacobs said.

Bolsa Chica extends from the Bolsa Chica Regional Park in the south to Warner Avenue in the north. Huntington State Beach runs from the city’s southern border at the Santa Ana River to Beach Boulevard.

Beach-goers at Huntington State Beach on Thursday evening were divided about the idea of a 10 p.m. curfew.

“I think it’s perfectly normal,” said 18-year-old Willie Wisrock of Huntington Beach. “There’s been people who have been shot down here, so this is good for safety.”

His friends disagreed. “Personally, I don’t like it,” said Bryce Gossett, 19, of Huntington Beach. “Sometimes, I don’t get down here until 9 or 10, and I enjoy coming down here and hanging around with my friends.”

Gossett said he comes to the beach often but has never witnessed trouble.

“I’m not saying it never happens,” he said, “but I’ve never personally seen anything.”

Jim Lipscomb, who can see the sand from his Huntington Beach house, said he favored the new hours.

“I’m not glad the state has to shut it down earlier,” he said, “but there are a lot of teen-age kids running around, and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of parental guidance.”

His wife, Janeen, agreed. “I’m sure the teen-agers won’t like it, but we’ll like it because we live here, and we can hear them (authorities) shutting the beach down at night.”

Times staff writer Stacy Wong contributed to this story.