by Laura Garber
An estimated 400 to 500 teens responded to an Instagram post announcing a “Beach Takeover” party in Hermosa Beach on Friday, April 3. The post called for students from Torrance, Palos Verdes, Compton, Santa Monica and other South Bay cities to join for a day of “music, drinks, football and boxing.”
The gathering began in the early afternoon and was broken up by police by early evening.
HBPD blared sirens from their vehicles on The Strand and the beach to disperse the crowd.
Police Chief Landon Phillips said the sirens and loud speakers were used to get the teens attention and encourage them to return to their vehicles. Despite the earsplitting noise, many of the teens lingered for selfies with the police vehicles.
Residents were warned on Friday via HBPD social media posts and through Alert South Bay to avoid 22nd Street and the beach. Police from Redondo and Manhattan Beach aided Hermosa Beach police in controlling the crowd.
Redondo Beach Police aided HBPD with drone operations.
“We understand this large group and some of their activities created some concern from our residents and businesses,” Chief Phillips said in a video posted to the department’s social media platforms on Tuesday, April 7. He assured residents that the department responded immediately to the calls.
“We want the entire community to know that our beach is open to all visitors and there is nothing wrong with having a gathering on the beach,” Phillips added. “However, when that gathering is advertised on social media as an event and when that event encourages fighting on the beach that is not okay.”
The Chief cited the large gathering as a violation of Hermosa Beach Municipal Code requiring a permit for special events. A social media video showed “Fight Club” style one-on-one gloved boxing matches.
Two participants in the “Beach Takeover” were arrested. One juvenile was arrested after allegedly spitting and throwing a Gatorade drink on an employee from The Green Store, Chief Phillips told Easy Reader.
The suspect was taken to the station, issued a citation and released to her parents.
“We will be conducting follow-up investigations into this event and other reports related to this event. We will be filing charges where appropriate,” Phillips said in the video.
Another arrest related indirectly to the event was made of a driver in possession of a stolen vehicle.
The chief said his department will work with crime analysts in the future to monitor social media for gatherings that may require a police response.
Another gathering advertised on social media as Senior Ditch Day, occurred the previous Thursday, April 2, on 22nd Street. It also drew 400 to 500 participants, who identified themselves as being from South Bay high schools, including Redondo, San Pedro and DaVinci.
“We want everyone to enjoy our beach and welcome all visitors to Hermosa Beach,” Phillips said in the department’s video. “But please make sure we share the beach in a respectful and peaceful manner.” ER
Was any of this illegal ? Were any arrests made ? Did any of these kids vomit on the beach like adults sometimes do ?
Why are these allowed in our neighborhood. Where were the Police? Our Woke Police chief needs to be fired.