RANCHO PALOS VERDES : City Moves to Outlaw Nudity at Popular Cove
Nude sunbathers at a beach known as both Sacred Beach and Smuggler’s Cove may have about 45 days to get their clothes on.
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council has voted to ban nude sunbathing in the city, which could effectively shut down one of the few nude beaches in Southern California.
An ordinance prohibiting the practice will take effect Oct. 20 if the council gives final approval in two weeks. Violators would be subject to a $1,000 fine or up to six months in jail.
The beach has been popular with nude bathers for about 30 years. But Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and city officials have received increasing complaints about lewd conduct near the beach. A city staff report said that either the activity is increasing or people have been more inclined to report it.
Some bathers said a ban was the wrong approach.
“You have laws for drugs; you can’t stop the drug dealing,” said Dennis Roper, 52, a debt collector from Torrance. He said a few troublemakers may have caused the problems and suggested a citizens committee be formed to find a solution.
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