Bergeson Criticizes Coastal Panel’s Warning on Curfews : Politics: State senator calls it ‘a threat to local democracy’ and says she will draft legislation clarifying cities and counties’ rights to impose beach restrictions.

State Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) said Wednesday that the California Coastal Commission’s warning against beach and parking lot curfews imposed by cities, counties and the state is “unwise” and “a threat to local democracy.”

The Coastal Commission has warned 73 oceanfront cities and counties--including many in Orange County--that such curfews are illegal without commission approval. The curfews are aimed at curtailing late-night crime on local beaches.

Peter Douglas, the commission’s executive director, said in an interview that the local ordinances are considered “illegal under the Coastal Act.” But the warning has no immediate effect on beach curfews.

In a letter dated Wednesday to commission Chairman Thomas W. Gwyn, Bergeson said she was “distressed” by the commission’s action.

“Local officials are elected to provide for the health and safety of their citizenry,” Bergeson wrote. “For a state-run commission to interfere in these health and safety decisions is, in my opinion, a threat to local democracy.”

Late-night beach curfews are in effect in Orange County from Seal Beach to San Clemente.

Linda Moulton-Patterson, mayor of Huntington Beach and a member of the Coastal Commission, voiced support for Bergeson’s position.

“I agree with her,” Moulton-Patterson said. “There are real problems balancing public access and public safety. . . . I’m a real champion of public access, but if we have to err, I want to err on the side of public safety.”

Bergeson told Gwyn that she will draft new legislation clarifying the rights of cities and counties to impose beach restrictions. But she offered to meet with Gwyn in January when the Legislature reconvenes in hopes of settling the dispute without any new legislation.