‘Fun police’: LBPD cracking down on drinking, noise at Horny Corner on 4th of July
Police, along with private security, will conduct bag and cooler checks for prohibited items, including booze and fireworks.
For decades, Horny Corner has been the unofficial party zone for Long Beach locals and visitors alike, especially on summer holidays like the Fourth of July. The beach is often lined with pop-up tents and people drinking out of red Solo cups.
But this year, the Long Beach Police Department is cracking down on public consumption of alcohol and other prohibited activities, it said Thursday.
Friday morning, crews were seen setting up vehicle barriers and barricades at all entry points to Bay Shore Avenue, including at 54th Place, First Street, Division Street and Second Street. Visitors hoping to catch some rays and join in the festivities Saturday can only enter the area at Second Street and Ocean Boulevard, according to department spokesperson Eric Stachura.
“Private security, assisted by LBPD personnel, will staff the entrances to the beach area and conduct bag searches,” Stachura told the Watchdog in an email Friday. “All bags and coolers will be checked for prohibited items and prohibited items, including fireworks [which are illegal throughout the city], will not be allowed into the area.
“Anyone found in possession of prohibited items will not be allowed into the area,” Stachura added.
Alcohol is also prohibited on all Long Beach beaches, Stachura said, adding that if police or security catch people drinking "enforcement action will be taken.”
Open flame grills and portable barbecues are also not allowed, along with urinating or deficating in public, according to LBPD’s post.
The department is also cracking down on noise, including “loud parties and amplified music,” according to Stachura. When asked who determines what is considered “too loud,” Stachura said officers will make the assessment and dole out whatever enforcement action is applicable.
On social media, dozens of commenters praised the department for the increased security measures, but not everyone was happy.
“Actual fun police,” said one commenter on Instagram.
“Challenge accepted,” wrote another.
“Bag search??? Fenced off.. woohoo, freeDUMB.. I miss the 80s,” Chris Lepre wrote on Facebook.
“As a 50+ yr resident it’s sad to see these measures in place. Fencing off and gating the bay?” Allison Durham said, adding that she understands the need due to “irresponsible people who ruin it for the locals.”
Last year, the department deployed a “large number of officers” and utilized vehicle barriers around the area, Stachura said. One resident who has lived adjacent to Horny Corner for eight years but declined to give his name told the Watchdog Friday that officers had a difficult time with crowd control last year and noted that more people are expected than usual, likely due to the cancellation of the popular Big Bang on the Bay fireworks show.
The barriers and bag checks are a new safety measure this year, Stachura said. Additionally, the department, with coordination with the Long Beach Fire Department, will keep track of the crowd size and will cut off entry once “capacity” is reached. It is unclear, however, what capacity is at Horny Corner.
“We anticipate the Bayshore beach area will reach capacity,” Stachura said, “so we encourage people to have alternative plans and locations to celebrate the holiday in the event they are denied entry.”
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