Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Newport Police Arrest More Than 100 Revelers
The Fourth of July attracted more than 100,000 visitors to Newport Beach. Police say it was a busy day, but no major incidents were reported.
Hordes of people crowded Newport Beach to celebrate the Fourth of July, but some ended up in handcuffs before the last fireworks were lit.
The Newport Beach Police Department beefed up its patrol for the holiday with more than 200 officers -- some from the California Highway Patrol and the Orange County Sheriff's Department-- assigned to monitor 100,000 visitors that came into the city on Wednesday. Kathy Lowe, police spokeswoman said 120 people were arrested on July 4th.
"About 70 percent were for public intoxication," Lowe said. "Overall, it was a busy day however there were no major incidents."
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Along with increased patrols, fines within the city's Safety Enhancement Zone which stretches from Pacific Ocean on the south, 32nd Street and Newport Boulevard on the east, West Coast Highway on the north and 54th Street on the west, were triple the normal amount, costing scofflaws as much as $3,000. Police also utilized surveillance cameras in the West Newport area to help keep the crowds under control.
"They provided situational awareness to the Incident Commander who was monitoring the activity throughout the day," Lowe said.
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In 2011, 119 people were arrested on the Fourth of July in Newport and more than 85 percent were from outside of the city.
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