Keeping Order on 4th of July

Re your Dec. 15 editorial, “Due Process in Huntington Beach”:

The stated mission of the Huntington Beach Police Department is to work in partnership with the community to provide the most professional, effective police services possible, always keeping in mind ethical standards, constitutional safeguards and respect for the human dignity of all persons. One of our objectives is to create and maintain a feeling of safety and security for all persons.

Each year on the Fourth of July, our department and our community have been dramatically challenged as we attempt to achieve those goals and objectives. For several years now, we have seen a disturbing increase in the level of violence and destruction associated with Fourth of July crowds. Working with the City Council, community groups, and other city departments, we designed a multifaceted plan to prevent violence and protect the lives and property of our citizens.

On July 4, 1996, we executed that plan to perfection, and there were no riots for the first time in over a decade in Huntington Beach. Our interpretation of public versus private property, or property open to public access was based upon case law and drafted in conjunction with input from the city attorney’s office and attorneys within the police department.

As we prepare for July 4, 1997, we will evaluate our performance and seek ways to improve our tactical response. We will be consulting with the city attorney’s office and with the City Council to determine if changes need to be made in city ordinances dealing with the consumption of alcoholic beverages on public property or on property open to public access.

For your information, your editorial is in error: We have never used fire hoses to control crowds. Two years ago on July 4 we did not use them during the riot. The tremendous pressure developed by water from fire hoses can cause serious injuries, and we have never considered their use on citizens.

In closing let me reaffirm to all the citizens of Huntington Beach that we will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure a safe and sane Fourth of July for everyone within our community.

RONALD E. LOWENBERG

Chief of Police

Huntington Beach

Editor’s note: As The Times reported at the time, police sprayed crowds with water from a truck to clear several downtown streets.