The Wedge isn’t the only thing popping off in Newport Beach, California this summer. Over the Fourth of July weekend, holiday celebrations quickly turned into pandemonium, with hundreds of attendees seen fighting, vandalizing property and looting local businesses, prompting a massive, multi-agency police response
During the day, tens of thousands of visitors gathered in Newport beach for a peaceful celebration of the holiday. Later that night, though, social media posts drew a large group of young people to the Newport Pier area. A press release from the city of Newport Beach described them as partaking in “increasingly dangerous and unlawful behavior, blocking roadways, restricting emergency vehicle access and throwing explosive mortars, fireworks and other projectiles at police officers, into densely packed crowds and near families with children.”
In response, the Newport Beach Police Department made an unlawful assembly declaration and mobilized over 350 officers, aided by 17 regional law enforcement agencies. The mob of police officers dispersed the crowd and made 402 arrests in the process. According to the release, one Newport Beach police officer was struck by a mortar in the process. They were evaluated by Newport Beach Fire Department personnel at the scene before being released.
“Our officers remained focused on one priority throughout the evening, protecting our community and restoring public safety,” said Newport Beach Police Chief Dave Miner. “The extensive planning that went into this holiday, combined with the professionalism of our officers and our mutual aid partners, allowed us to respond quickly to a dangerous situation, restore order and protect the thousands of residents and visitors who came to Newport Beach to celebrate responsibly.”
Newport-based professional surfer Sage Burke weighed in on the issue on social media. Though he missed the fracas in person, he had his own theories about how it came to pass.
“Absolute mayhem yesterday in my hometown,” he wrote in the caption to an Instagram post with a montage of the mayhem. “Happy I skipped the Fourth this year and watched from afar. This video is from sunset at the lower jetties then bars at Blackies to the Chipotle at 32nd. Newport Beach PD vs. the inland empire/multiple different area codes/Arizona heavy rentals this year. Doesn’t matter where you’re from, all that matters is coming with respect.”
The dustup isn’t the first time Orange County has proven itself prone to chaos, either. Back in 2013, a riot broke out at the US Open in Huntington Beach. Rampaging surf fans broke windows, pushed over port-a-potties and damaged city signs and vehicles, prompting Huntington Beach PD to break out the riot gear and tear gas to quell the unrest. At the end of it all, only seven were arrested, a number far eclipsed by Newport’s most recent holiday antics.
