By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Newport Beach Police Department arrested approximately 400 people during Fourth of July disturbances on Saturday on the Balboa Peninsula after large crowds of juveniles and young adults, primarily ages 15 to 25, refused to disperse despite police orders.
- A majority of those arrested appeared to be visitors from Arizona, with some from Southern California, drawn to the area partly through social media influencers promoting gatherings at the beach.
- Individuals blocked roadways, threw explosive mortars and fireworks at police officers and into densely packed crowds near families with children, and ransacked the Pavilions supermarket at one point.
- Newport Beach Police received assistance from law enforcement agencies including Huntington Beach Police Department SWAT and departments from Orange, Brea, Seal Beach, and La Habra.
- City Manager Seimone Jurjis announced officials will review response effectiveness and next steps at a City Council meeting, including possible outreach to Arizona officials and universities.
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. — Newport Beach Police Department arrested approximately 400 people Saturday during Fourth of July disturbances on the Balboa Peninsula after an escalating situation involving large groups of juveniles and young adults who engaged in increasingly dangerous and unlawful behavior.
City Manager Seimone Jurjis stated that analysis of arrest records indicates a large majority of those arrested were visiting from Arizona, though Southern California residents were also represented. The crowd consisted primarily of individuals ages 15 to 25.
Newport Beach police had increased enforcement presence Thursday and Friday and officials believed the situation remained under control. However, beginning Saturday afternoon as tens of thousands of visitors occupied the beach, the situation escalated rapidly. Social media posts promoting an “invasion” of juveniles and young adults to the Newport Pier area contributed to the rapid increase in crowds within a short timeframe.
As the crowd grew, individuals engaged in progressively more dangerous and unlawful conduct. Groups blocked roadways and restricted emergency vehicle access. Individuals threw explosive mortars, fireworks, and other projectiles at police officers, into densely packed crowds, and near families with children. The Pavilions supermarket on West Balboa Boulevard was ransacked at one point.
When a group of juveniles and young adults near 28th Street refused to leave the area near the pier, approximately 200 individuals were encircled by police and arrested. Police officers worked throughout the night processing arrests. Once individuals had been processed, they were transported via Orange County Transportation Authority bus to jail.
Jurjis stated that social media influencers and the city’s desirable beach environment were primary factors drawing the crowds. Mayor Lauren Kleiman issued a “Not in Newport” campaign on the city’s Instagram account requesting polite and good behavior, but officials acknowledged that thousands of other influencers were simultaneously promoting Newport Beach as a destination for gatherings and parties on social media platforms including TikTok.
“You have all the influencers that are influencing the kids to come to Newport Beach and you have people that are here from Newport Beach, from Arizona, that are streaming on TikTok to come to certain parts of the beach,” Jurjis stated. “That’s where we need to focus our attention.”
Newport Beach leadership will review the response and its effectiveness at a City Council meeting next week. Jurjis said city officials will assess what enforcement strategies are working and which require modification. Officials indicated they will likely contact Arizona’s governor and possibly Arizona universities to determine if those arrested are students, establishing a clearer picture of where the crowds originated.