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 City of Hermosa Beach --- 05-22-01
DEPLOYMENT OF POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council receive and file the following report on the planning and preparations regarding the deployment of police and fire personnel on the Fourth of July Holiday, 2001.
BACKGROUND The Fourth of July Holiday has traditionally been a major holiday in Hermosa Beach. Large numbers of people generally come into town to attend parties and go to the beach. The fireworks show in Redondo Beach serves as an added attraction as people come to the beach in Hermosa to watch the Redondo show. In the past few years, police have encountered large crowds with live bands at neighborhood parties. Generally, these large gatherings have been orderly for the most part. Due to the cooperative nature of most people in town on the Fourth, officers generally achieve cooperation and compliance through a low key, diplomatic and friendly approach. While the volume of illegal fireworks has been significantly reduced from what it was in years past, illegal fireworks are still present during the day and evening hours. In an effort this year to try and mitigate the undesirable effects of large parties, live bands and illegal fireworks use, the police and fire departments have developed some additional plans to deal with these problems. In the remaining weeks before the Fourth, the police and fire departments will utilize available media resources to advertise and educate the public on the illegality of fireworks and the illegal use of alcohol on the beach, Strand and other public areas. The local papers will be contacted and the "Beach Beat" program on the local cable channel will be utilized. A 4’ by 30’ banner will be installed at Pier Avenue and Valley Drive from June 11 through July 9 with a public safety message prohibiting fireworks. Placards with a "No Fireworks" message will be strategically placed throughout the City. As the weather is becoming warmer, police officers will be detailed onto the beach and Strand on a daily basis to monitor and enforce alcohol violations. This early activity now will start sending the message about the restricted use of alcohol on the beach and Strand. The entire police department will be mobilized to work the Fourth. Every officer that can be deployed during the afternoon and evening hours will be. Officers of the California Highway Patrol will be hired and brought in to monitor traffic along Pacific Coast Highway and other locations as needed. The department will ask the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to augment our forces with 10-15 additional deputies. These deputy sheriffs will be paired up with Hermosa Beach officers and deployed in foot patrols along the beach and Strand. The new noise ordinance will enable officers to deal more effectively with large parties and live bands. The annual so called "Ironman competition" will probably occur this year as it has done for the past several years. It is the intent of the police department to monitor this event as it takes place with the aim of making sure that order is maintained and people are kept safe. This has been our strategy for the past several years and it has been found to be very successful. The fire department will have extra staffing commencing at 12:00 noon until midnight. Engines 11 and 12 will be fully staffed with 4 firefighters each and a fire investigator will be teamed up with a police officer. This staffing will be accomplished with regular and reserve firefighters. The purpose of this large deployment is two-fold. First, it is desired that the public see a large police presence. Second, this presence not only promotes a feeling of safety but also sends the message to those individuals that wish to start problems that the police have the resources to respond. Despite the large police presence, traditional methods of diplomacy and courtesy will be employed in dealing with large parties. However, if a particular problem occurs, the resources will be available to respond. In conclusion, efforts taken in the coming weeks by the police and fire departments and a large police presence on the Fourth itself should mitigate many of the crowd and noise issues that are customary for this holiday. These plans also attempt to address many of the issues that were raised after last year’s Fourth of July. The overall objective is to promote safety and for people to enjoy themselves but not at the expense of others.
FISCAL IMPACT The projected costs for these additional deployments are as follows:
Projected total costs $31,950
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