Rules May Be Changed for Rodman

Frustrated that fines and police visits haven’t worked, Newport Beach officials are contemplating stepped-up action against the city’s most notorious noisemaker, former basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman.

Besides trying to develop a stiffer noise ordinance to force Rodman to keep the volume down at parties at his oceanfront house, officials may seek a court injunction against Josh Slocums, the West Coast Highway restaurant partially owned by the former Chicago Bulls and Lakers player.

City officials said police have gone to the house repeatedly for noise violations, for having live entertainment and dancing without a permit and for overcrowding. Police also have been called to break up fights.

“It’s the kind of calls we get from bars and things but on a much more frequent basis, to the point where it’s an unreasonable number compared to other establishments,” Mayor Gary Adams said.

Police also have contacted the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control about Josh Slocums, but the agency is not investigating the restaurant, said Rick Ryan, supervising investigator for the department in Santa Ana.

Assistant City Atty. Robin Clausen said the Planning Department has met with Rodman’s representatives at least three times to explain that the restaurant needs permits for the activities that have been taking place.

In addition, the city attorney is researching changes in the city’s noise ordinance to make it easier for police to arrest people making the noise and the property owner. City Atty. Bob Burnham said the changes will be presented at the City Council’s meeting next Tuesday.

Police have been called to Rodman’s house more than 50 times since June, and he has been fined $8,500 for violating community noise standards. Newport Beach police said they receive far more complaints about Rodman’s house than any other place in the city.

The regulatory moves had been contemplated before Rodman’s 40th birthday party Saturday, at which about 100 invited guests packed his two-story pink stucco house and twice as many people gathered on the public beach next to his patio to hear the bands Live and Agrokulcher.

About 30 police officers, some in riot gear, stood watch. Sgt. Steve Shulman said police are considering billing Rodman for the 10 officers called in on overtime.

He said police also are looking for the helicopter pilot who landed illegally on the beach so that Rodman could make a dramatic entrance to his party.

Fox Sports Net recorded the festivities with a crew headed by a black-clad Jack Haley, a former teammate of Rodman on the Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs and a commentator on the cable network.

Police have expressed frustration because they have presented reams of noise complaints against Rodman to the district attorney’s office, which so far has declined to prosecute.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike Fell said he is continuing to review the reports.