Beach city bans sparking in cars
June 13, 1922:
“June-struck youths, who cannot resist bestowing caresses upon their fair companions while motoring, would do well to stay away from Santa Monica,” The Times warned under the headline “Mayor Bars ‘Petting’ in Autos.” “A little hug or a kiss or two may cost them $25.”
Earlier in the week, the newspaper said, Santa Monica Mayor S.L. Berkeley had been out driving when he “drew up behind another car that was steering a zigzag course.” Looking through the windows, Berkeley saw “two pairs of lips meet. Apparently the driver was more intent upon un peu d’amour than his steering wheel.”
The driver, Morris M. Gordon, had “his left hand on the wheel and his right arm around a slender waist,” The Times said, and the mayor told him, “Young man, if you must shower your affections upon this young lady, I would suggest that you do it on the beach.”
He escorted Gordon to the police station, where the young man paid $25 bail and promised to appear in court on a charge of reckless driving.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
