SEAL BEACH : City Votes to Close Beaches at 10 P.M.

Following the lead of nearby oceanfront communities, Seal Beach officials have decided to close city beaches at 10 p.m.

The action, taken last week by the City Council, is designed to keep rowdy beach-goers from causing problems at the beach and pier.

Earlier this year, Huntington Beach and the county enacted 10 p.m. curfews at their beaches.

Seal Beach officials feared that the community could be flooded with late-night beach-goers if the curfew wasn’t extended into the city.

Until now, the city beaches had been open until midnight. During the summer, it was common for dozens of people to stroll along the sand well into the night.

Seal Beach police officials were among the most enthusiastic supporters of the curfew, hoping it will prevent late-night trouble from brewing at the beach.

The area already has one of the highest crime rates in the city.

Police said that graffiti and drinking are among the most common problems at the beach, though more serious crimes such as robbery occasionally occur there as well.