Newport Rethinks Its Rodman Plan

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

Besides trying to stiffen their noise ordinance and force Rodman to keep the party noise down at his oceanfront house, city officials may seek an injunction against Josh Slocums, the West Coast Highway restaurant the former Chicago Bull and Laker partially owns.

Officials said police have responded to the restaurant repeatedly for overcrowding, for noise violations and for live entertainment and dancing without a permit. Police also have been called to break up fights.

“It’s the kind of calls we get from bars, [but] it’s an unreasonable number compared to other establishments,” said Mayor Gary B. Adams.

The restaurant’s violations could result in citations and small fines, but if its owners violate an injunction they could be held in contempt of court and jailed.

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

Assistant City Atty. Robin Clausen said the Planning Department has met with restaurant representatives at least three times to explain that the restaurant needs permits for dancing and live music.

The city attorney is researching changes in the city’s noise ordinance to make it easier for police to arrest the people making the noise and the property owner. City Atty. Robert Burnham said the changes will be presented at the council’s meeting May 22.

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

The moves were contemplated before Rodman’s 40th birthday party Saturday, where the 100 or so invited guests packed Rodman’s two-story, pink stucco house and twice that many onlookers gathered on the public beach beside 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 sending Rodman a bill for the 10 officers called in on overtime.

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

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

Police have expressed frustration that their reams of noise complaints against Rodman have resulted in no prosecutions so far. Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike Fell said he is continuing to review the reports.

The former basketball player, wrestler and actor lives in the West Newport neighborhood that was known as a party zone long before he moved in. During the summer, much of the area is filled with vacationers who rent by the week.

The homes themselves are not mansions and are packed together like the crowd at one of Rodman’s parties.

Shulman said that although neighbors want the party noise turned down, they don’t necessarily want Rodman arrested. As a result, they have refused to press charges or testify against Rodman.