HUNTINGTON BEACH : New Mayor Declares War Against Gangs

Mayor Linda Moulton-Patterson pledged “to crush gang activity and to stamp out graffiti” and to try to preserve the city as a safe place.

She made the promise during the city’s annual changing of the guard ceremonies.

“My overall goal for the next year as your mayor will be to continue our progress and standing as a friendly and desirable city in which to live, work and play,” Moulton-Patterson told the crowd Monday night.

“First and foremost, Huntington Beach must remain a safe place. We will continue to provide the finest public safety teamwork through our police, fire and marine safety departments.

“We intend to crush any gang activity and to stamp out graffiti on every occasion and in every location in Huntington Beach.”

Moulton-Patterson said officials will hold a Town Hall forum early next year to solicit concerns on crime, gangs and graffiti from residents and young people.

She said officials are expected to develop a specific plan to attack the problem with information gathered from the meeting.

“Fighting crime in our city must be a communitywide effort, which includes our business, education and religious leaders,” she said. “Our Police Department cannot do this alone.”

Moulton-Patterson, 50, was elected by her City Council colleagues to serve as mayor for the next 12 months. Former Police Chief Earle Robitaille was chosen as mayor pro tem.

Moulton-Patterson, a voting member of the California Coastal Commission, also said the Bolsa Chica wetlands is another top priority.

The city will provide its ideas and proposals to every governmental regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over wetlands and coastal preservation, she said.

Moulton-Patterson also said she will work with schools and appoint a task force to develop safe child-care facilities without cost to taxpayers.

Moulton-Patterson was elected to the City Council in 1990. She served two terms as a trustee on the Huntington Beach Union High School District. She is a part-time instructor of political science at Cypress College and is a government and public affairs consultant. She is married to former Congressman Jerry M. Patterson.