Newport Beach police said Saturday that they are aware of a proposed “organized gathering” in the city this weekend, and are making preparations to deal with any potential lawbreaking in light of the chaos over the July 4 weekend.
“The Newport Beach Police Department is aware of social media promoting an organized gathering in the city this weekend,” says a statement posted on the department’s Instagram account. “The event is under active investigation, and we are working with our regional partners to identify those involved in organizing or promoting any unlawful activity.”
The department said additional officers will be deployed throughout the city.
“Our priority is to protect the community, maintain public safety and respond quickly to any criminal activity,” according to the statement. “Anyone who organizes, promotes or participates in criminal activity should expect immediate enforcement action. Criminal acts including violence, vandalism, theft, assault, unlawful assembly and other violations may result in arrest and prosecution.”
The department went on to add that juvenile offenses can carry serious consequences. Parents or guardians may be held legally and financially responsible for damages or other unlawful conduct.
The nature of the planned gathering and the specific day and time were not immediately clear.
Social media posts on July 4 attracted a large group of teens and young adults to the Newport Pier, which ultimately led to unruly crowds and more than 400 arrests that weekend. Most of those arrested were from out of state, officials said.
Newport Beach officials said numerous orders to disperse were given to the crowd and about 350 officers from the city and neighboring agencies converged on the beaches to restore order. Of the arrests made from July 3 through the morning of July 5, about 96% were from outside the city, including 35% from Arizona, 7% from Nevada and 51% from other California cities, officials said.
About 70% of those arrested were 18 to 25 years old and 20% were 13 to 17.
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