51 Arrested in Huntington Crackdown

Huntington Beach police made 51 arrests and issued 106 citations Friday in a crackdown aimed at ridding the downtown area of rowdy youths and others who come on the weekends to cruise and drink.

Sgt. Larry Miller said it was the third weekend out of the last four that police had organized sweeps of the downtown area to make it more comfortable for shoppers and residents.

Miller said 41 juveniles were arrested for violating the 10 p.m. curfew and 10 others were apprehended for a variety of other offenses during the enforcement operation, which concentrated on the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Main Street.

In addition, he said, police wrote 106 citations for offenses ranging from drunk driving to operating a car without a license plate.

“We are trying to return the streets to the citizens and folks who would want to come down here and enjoy the redevelopment” area near the city pier, he said. “The city and a number of businesses have spent millions in our downtown to make it an attractive place.”

Miller said the police will continue to conduct similar crackdowns throughout the summer “as we deem necessary on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays” and when there are sufficient police officers available.

“There needs to be a strong police presence,” he said.