Police presence near beach to rise

NEWPORT BEACH — City Council members vowed to beef up law enforcement near the beach in Corona del Mar and Peninsula Point in response to complaints about vandalism, graffiti, and people littering and carousing on neighborhood streets.

Council members didn’t agree on whether to pursue a resident-only permit parking program for beach-adjacent streets, but they were united in supporting what Councilman Keith Curry called a “Rudy Giuliani-style surge” in police enforcement.

Residents in Corona del Mar and Peninsula Point have been agitating for parking restrictions, but the council has been cautious because any such rules could be blocked by the California Coastal Commission.

City officials told about 80 residents who came to a public meeting Tuesday that it would cost more than $271,000 to get a decal parking program started, which would average out to $226 per house in the affected neighborhoods.

While residents appeared split on whether the parking program would help them or cause them more headaches, most asked for more police enforcement. Some said they’ve had their cars keyed and security lights broken, and they complained that police take a long time to respond to calls.

Council members said they’ll do more public outreach to see how many people want permit parking, but several said they’re not sure how much that will help address the crime problems.

“If we’re talking about gangs and we’re talking about guns, are they going to care that they’re going to get a ticket?” Councilwoman Nancy Gardner said.

The council will revisit the police enforcement and permit parking issues at a future meeting, but no date has been set.

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