Crowd Control at Beach Events

* The irony of the extent and enthusiasm of (Huntington Beach) police enforcement and “supervision” this past Independence Day is compelling. Their actions and methods have become nothing short of antagonistic and counterproductive.

Stopping people at random for “bicycle license” inspection and the consequential confiscation of over 200 bikes by officers in riot gear is frighteningly reminiscent of a totalitarian police state, where “independence” is an unfulfilled dream, not an inalienable right.

First the right to drink alcohol was banned on the beaches for all law-abiding citizens. Now the beaches are closed to everyone at 8 p.m. on holidays. Have we as a society become so engrossed in our made-for-TV docudramas and one-liner sitcoms that we have forgotten the very principles upon which this nation was founded? As each freedom is seized without resistance from us, we slip ever closer toward the regime against whom we have so proudly fought and governments we have condemned.

MARC J. GIEGERICH

Huntington Beach

* What is happening to Surf City and the beach on the Fourth of July? With the new pier and redevelopment, (Huntington Beach) seems to have forgotten the original reason for spending all of that money. It was the beach and great events like holidays or the Op Surfing Championships (Who picked the dates this year?).

If large crowds invite problems, why do we over-promote the area? Couldn’t the county fair have been somewhere else? Now, we hear how dangerous the beach is from the police chief but there isn’t a curfew on the fair at 8 p.m. Maybe next year we could leave the beaches closed and sell “beautiful, safe beach” videos at the freeway exits.

FRED PROVENCHER

Huntington Beach

* The people of this city (Huntington Beach) should care enough about their own “hood” to demand good government. Demand careful planning and management. Demand that the needs of the residents are as served as those of the local merchants and moneymakers. Demand that the crowds that gather here not party at our expense nor be allowed to draw blood for kicks. Demand that our elected city officials and decision-makers face that when they encourage huge urban growth and tourism they better plan on how to control the monster they have created.

KATE DOLLAR

Huntington Beach