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Hermosa Beach News for 2006

Police searching for suspects in beating - Manhattan Beach Police released pictures of two female suspects who were involved in a recent home invasion robbery that left the victims severely beaten.  Four suspects, the two women and two unidentified men, were involved in the attack and authorities are hoping that someone will recognize the women and contact the authorities, said Sgt. Steve Tobias.  The victims, Kevin Scannell, 54, and Sheila Becker, 43, of Redondo Beach, met the two women while at a bar in Hermosa Beach Wednesday night, March 1.

Locals moms create Watch - In the hopes of better preparing Hermosa Beach residents in the event of a disaster, emergency or major crime, three local mothers have organized a Neighborhood Watch effort that they hope will involve the entire city.  Kelly Kovac-Reedy, Nancy Amato and Tracy Hopkins, with the assistance of the Hermosa Beach Police Department and City Manager Steve Burrell, have established the program and hope to recruit 100 street block captains in time for the start of the city's centennial celebration in January 2007.

Police search for suspects in brutal home invasion crime - A Manhattan Beach couple who had spent the evening at several bars in Hermosa Beach were followed home and then attacked by multiple suspects in a home invasion-style robbery.  On March 2 at about 5:10 a.m. after the suspects fled the scene, Manhattan Beach Police received an emergency phone call from one of the victims, according to Manhattan Beach Police Sgt. Steve Tobias.  When police arrived at the scene, a home in the 600 block of Valley Drive, they found 54-year-old Kevin Scannell, an actor, and a 43-year-old female, both of whom were the victims of severe beatings by blunt objects.

HB Council soon hopes to discuss use of new land - After inking a deal with the owners of a piece of land near Hermosa Beach City Hall, city officials will soon begin the task of discussing what they hope to eventually build on the property once the lease of its current tenants expires. 

“The main reason we bought it is for future expansion but the biggest single reason is because hopefully we can get 300 to 400 parking spaces in there, underground, and hopefully put a public safety building on top,” said Mayor Peter Tucker. “It’s a key piece of property that only comes around once in a while and it could provide a whole lot more parking for upper Pier Avenue.”

What's Your Opinion? - Should Hermosa Beach build a 400 car parking garage at City Hall for the patrons of Upper Pier Ave. and Pier Plaza?

Proposal to make upper Pier Avenue single lanes advances - Following public testimony, the Hermosa Beach Public Works Commission voted to approve a trial program that would transform a portion of upper Pier Avenue into one lane in each direction as a way to test if such a scenario would work permanently. The vote was 4-1; Commissioner Victor Winnek was the lone dissenter at the meeting held Jan. 18.  Those among the public who spoke on the matter raised concerns from an increase in traffic in a one-lane environment to the construction process and length to possible encroachment areas from wider sidewalks to potential outdoor dining and the noise that might come with it.

What's Your Opinion? - Should the Pier Plaza theme be extended to Upper Pier Plaza with wider sidewalks for outdoor dining, a medium with palm trees and the removal of 2 traffic lanes?

HB City Council summary - Open Space Ballot measure - Following a rousing debate between City Attorney Mike Jenkins and Councilman Sam Edgerton, the Hermosa Beach City Council Tuesday night voted on the wording and adopted several resolutions for a November ballot initiative aimed at prohibiting construction of new public improvements on the beach and Greenbelt.  The wording, which is required to be as nonbiased as possible, was drafted by Jenkins and City Clerk Elaine Doerfling. and was altered to now read, "Shall an ordinance be adopted adding the beach to the restricted open space zone by prohibiting any improvements in the O-S-1 zone except for landscaping, irrigation, erosion control and replacement or repair of existing improvements within their existing footprints?"

KCBS-TV – March 13, 2006

See the Video of this KCBS channel 2 news story

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=15463@kcbs.dayport.com

Manhattan Beach Robbery Leads To Assault After Leaving Hermosa Beach Club Blue 32

The Beach Reporter – March 16, 2006

The Beach Reporter – March 9, 2006

The Beach Reporter – March 9, 2006

The Beach Reporter – March 9, 2006

The Beach Reporter – February 2, 2006

Hermosa Beach News

HB Council soon hopes to discuss use of new land (2/2)

By Whitney Youngs

After inking a deal with the owners of a piece of land near Hermosa Beach City Hall, city officials will soon begin the task of discussing what they hope to eventually build on the property once the lease of its current tenants expires.

The city initiated negotiations with the landowner of 552 11th Place last year and both parties agreed on a price tag of $4.2 million. The property is now the site of a self-storage facility that is leasing the land over the next four years. The city closed escrow in late June.

“In the meantime, what we intend to do when we have our goal-planning session (in the next month or two) is to set a time frame and a process as to how we are going to use it and what we might use it for. We want to start that discussion,” said City Manager Steve Burrell. “I would expect it would take us a fair amount of time to figure that out. It’s a real long-term issue.”

The City Council voted to approve the purchase of land by authorizing a series of transfers, loans, and reappropriations from its own funds and budget. The council approved the offer during a closed-session meeting after its regular public meeting last March. The owner accepted the offer three days later.

City Councilman Michael Keegan voted against the purchase because there was no plan in place of how the land would be used at the time. He said he would support keeping the site as a storage facility and increase the rent after the lease expires.

“I didn’t see it prudent buying the land at the height of the real estate market with no plan,” said Keegan. “According to the market appraisal, when the lease expires we could double our income. The lease is under the market value so when it comes for renewal, if there wasn’t a renewal, we could probably double our income as it is currently used.”

Some ideas that have been floating around about what to do with the land are the construction of an underground parking structure with a new police or fire facility above it.  “We don’t have any plans for anything yet but clearly parking would be one of the priorities that people seem interested in and that certainly provides an opportunity for it,” added Burrell.

The city authorized internal loans in the amount of $1 million from the Insurance Fund and the Equipment Replacement Fund, and $747,000 from its Contingency Fund to partly pay for the new property. The city now receives income from those tenants that use the land as a self-storage facility, which constitutes 61 percent of the financed amount. When the lease expires, the remaining amount is expected to be covered by the city’s Downtown Enhancement Fund.

“The main reason we bought it is for future expansion but the biggest single reason is because hopefully we can get 300 to 400 parking spaces in there, underground, and hopefully put a public safety building on top,” said Mayor Peter Tucker. “It’s a key piece of property that only comes around once in a while and it could provide a whole lot more parking for upper Pier Avenue.”

According to Burrell, the city will make its final payment of $55,000 to the county in the 2005-06 fiscal year, based on the terms of a shared revenue agreement related to the city’s parking structure in between Pier Avenue and 14th Street along Hermosa Avenue. Revenues generated by street meters and public parking structures are allocated to the city’s Downtown Enhancement Fund.

Tucker said that the city might have to float a bond for the construction of a public safety facility and would like see the proposed project move faster than the pier renovation design phase.

“The Police and Fire departments are pretty much out of room, based on today’s standards and what the city must provide to the public,” added Tucker. “We are running out of room and I’m not real sure which department would be the easiest to move in to a new facility but I am thinking the police because the Fire Department already has access on Pier Avenue. A fire facility on top of an underground parking structure would be a lot of work, the concrete deck above would be massive just to hold the Fire Department’s equipment.”

The estimated income the city receives from the tenant currently leasing the land for the storage facilities for roughly the next five years (the period covering the current lease contract) is about $677,000. If the city wanted to renew the agreement, it could. That would generate about $1 million in the following five years and nearly $1.7 million over a future 10-year period.

The Beach Reporter – January 26, 2006

Hermosa Beach News

Proposal to make upper Pier Avenue single lanes advances (1/26)

By Whitney Youngs

Following public testimony, the Hermosa Beach Public Works Commission voted to approve a trial program that would transform a portion of upper Pier Avenue into one lane in each direction as a way to test if such a scenario would work permanently. The vote was 4-1; Commissioner Victor Winnek was the lone dissenter at the meeting held Jan. 18.

“I really was not too crazy about this project. I saw the report, which persuaded me to spend a lot of time walking up and down Pier Avenue,” said Winnek. “I love the idea that this was brought before us as a test case. The sole purpose of tonight’s item was to receive comment and consider some test options as a fact-finding phase. After listening to public comment I was persuaded, which made me rethink my opinion coming into this meeting.”

The commission’s vote only serves as a recommendation to the City Council which reserves final judgment on any matter voted upon by any of the city’s commissions. Those among the public who spoke on the matter raised concerns from an increase in traffic in a one-lane environment to the construction process and length to possible encroachment areas from wider sidewalks to potential outdoor dining and the noise that might come with it.

“I enjoy the fact that this is a forum and that we can bring together everyone who is impacted by this, both residents and business owners,” said Commissioner Daniel Marinelli. “We need to think of the future and wide-ranging plans, and what is best for all citizens in our community.”

Some members of the public commended the commission on the proposal saying that it would improve the street and create a more pedestrian-friendly area with wider sidewalks that would be conducive to city-sponsored events such as the Art Walk.

“I applaud the proposal and I am in favor of alternative ‘A.’ I think you did a very good job of presenting the benefits that we would have compared to now trying to cross the street with cars driving 45 mph,” said resident Stephen Goodell, who lives on Sunset Drive just off Pier Avenue.

The commission voted to move forward with a plan known as Option “A,” which proposes to transform Pier Avenue from Bard Avenue and Palm Drive to one lane each way. The new street will be simulated through new paint striping for a maximum of six months in order to gather data on any possible traffic impacts. After the simulated test phase, city traffic engineers will analyze the data to see if the scenario could work permanently.

“Upper Pier Avenue has become very vibrant and it has become a great place for a business,” said resident Jim Lissner. “Spending a lot of money on it would be like gilding a lily whereas I can certainly suggest some places to spend money: Aviation Boulevard and PCH. Put some money there and show that you give a damn, and maybe people will take an interest in shopping there.”

Funding for the project would be from monies accumulated in the city’s Proposition “C” account that comprises grants aimed at “transportation enhancing projects.”  “We are going to have a certain amount of bus and bicycle improvements, we don’t have many streets that we get an opportunity to spend that money on,” said Morgan. “We get a certain amount every year and we have been saving it.”

By way of Option ‘A,’ the commission recommended through striping to lengthen the diagonal parking stalls and to paint a 20-foot barrier median with double yellow lines that would create one lane each way. Option “A” would accommodate between 18- to 19-foot sidewalks, 18-foot diagonal parking stalls and 12- to 14-foot lanes.

“We think the trial is certainly a good thing to do. We would propose to do a traffic study prior to implementing the trial, and doing a study during the trial and look to see how traffic is being diverted off the street,” said Public Works Director Richard Morgan. “We’d like to see this go through the school year and into the summer a bit, maybe past the Fourth of July. If we implement this, and despite all the forecasts of our best engineers and it is a traffic nightmare, it could be ended. The striping changes would run from Valley Drive down to Palm Drive. We would create a transition from Valley Drive to Bard Avenue with the idea being we would want to try a stop sign and make Bard another four-way stop.”

According to Morgan, the entire street will see aesthetic improvements that will begin at Hermosa Avenue up to Pacific Coast Highway. The restorations will include new grading aimed at alleviating existing drainage problems, improved and widened sidewalks, new bus stops, benches, and perhaps the planting of palm trees and new lighting (similar to San Diego’s Gaslamp District) along the street. If approved, the city hopes to complete the project a year from now during its centennial year. Morgan said the project would be completed in phases and take about six months.

“I think this is a good idea for the businesses to expand their restaurants, retail and all of that, I’m sure there isn’t going to be any charge for that,” said Frank Hallstein of Hermosa Lock & Safe. “As far as the gaslamps, you should make them the same size as the parking meter poles and you could then take out the parking meters that are on Pier Avenue.”

In terms of width, upper Pier Avenue currently has a 100-foot right of way from property line to property line. The sidewalks are 10 feet wide and the diagonal parking has a 13.5-foot width from the curb to the end of the stall.  The proposed project, if approved, would probably require an Environmental Impact Report.

“My quality of life has gone down quite a bit since pier plaza and all of its bars,” said Ann Sullivan, a resident of 18th Street who has lived there for 33 years. “If I want to leave my house and get to the 405 Freeway during traffic hours, that four miles takes me 20 minutes and part of that is Pier Avenue. Traffic is so slow now with two lanes, to go to one lane is dangerous. If we ever have to evacuate this city, we are never going to get out. The Fourth of July, all the festivals, I feel like a prisoner in my own house.”

Option “A,” the reduction from four lanes to two, is a concept developed by city officials and the Community Development Department that was completed during the master planning of pier plaza around 1994. The goal of the Public Works Department is to implement such planning projects. The department looked at other beach towns that have similar one-lane main downtown streets like Huntington Beach and Manhattan Beach.

“The theme being to link upper Pier Avenue to lower Pier Avenue hopefully to bring a rejuvenation of business and to create a pedestrian-friendly environment,” said Morgan. “Narrowing the street with wide sidewalks increases a pedestrian sense of safety.”

The center median area is expected to include left-hand turning areas, for example, into the shopping center where the city’s post office is located.

“I think that if you get it down to one lane you have to have left-turn lanes,” said Gary Kazanjian who owns a business on upper Pier Avenue and lives on Loma Drive.

Morgan said that the city would also improve crosswalks that would make them more noticeable and that the wider sidewalks would allow for encroachment use as evident on the pier plaza. The city requires businesses on the plaza to have an encroachment permit that is issued on a fee-based system.

“I think this is great plan - Option ‘A’ or ‘B,’ I think it’s nice to see the city doing something for upper Pier Avenue,” said resident Rick Hankus who owns a business on upper Pier Avenue and one on Aviation Boulevard. “I think it’s a great idea to clean up upper Pier Avenue. Whether we widen the sidewalks or not, I think just giving it a face lift is important enough to help the rest of the merchants down there.”

Option “B” was to leave the street with four lanes and slightly widen sidewalks to allow for trees but wouldn’t allow for any encroachment use, and the parking stalls would remain the same size or could be extended to 14.5 feet.

“Why can’t there be the option to leave it alone? I do commend everyone on this report but I do find it curious that there was very limited notice on this meeting and maybe a diminished audience,” said resident Becher Anderson, who lives on 17th Street and owns property in the 200 block of Pier Avenue. (The Beach Reporter received a faxed agenda on the meeting Jan. 17 at 6:53 p.m.)

“We are starting to mirror our wealthy sister city, Manhattan Beach,” he continued. “You can say what you want about redoing Pier but I see a number of merchants quite happy now. I object to replacing a much needed and used traffic lane to obtain a wider sidewalk, which would then be leased to businesses. This smacks of the city creating commercial property for its use.”

Morgan also mentioned that at a future date, the city would have the option of transitioning the area’s diagonal parking to parallel stalls.  “Again if you go to parallel you are losing perhaps 40 percent of your parking so that’s not going to be very popular unless we have solved that problem with a parking structure that could be built on the land bought by the city next to City Hall,” said Morgan. “We want to slow people down, I’m tired seeing the speeding on Pier. I think it’s a good plan. I think four-lane is still a nice project and either option will be a wonderful improvement to the city.”

The Beach Reporter – September 15, 2005

Hermosa Beach News

Initiative backers, opponents begin to take sides (9/15)

By Whitney Youngs

As candidates for this year's Hermosa Beach City Council race kick off their campaign efforts, backers and supporters of an open space initiative that will also make its way on to the November ballot have already started taking sides.  Voters will decide the fate of Measure "E," which is an initiative regarding the prohibition improvements on the city's biggest chunks of open space - the beach and the Greenbelt.

Authored by local residents Gary Brutsch, Gerald Roberts and Roger Creighton, the initiative is aimed at preventing construction of major significance on the city's two biggest open spaces without a vote of the people.  In July, the council voted to take an opposing position on the initiative, claiming its statement of intent is overly restrictive and too ambiguous. The authors of the measure contend it is not their intent to restrict usual improvements that occur on the beach or Greenbelt.

City Attorney Mike Jenkins, in his recently completed impartial analysis of the measure, said that under current laws, the Greenbelt is required to be used as open space for recreational purposes and that the only improvements allowed are ones related to landscaping, beautification, irrigation and erosion control.  "Buildings are not allowed," stated Jenkins. "The one portion of the Greenbelt where parking is currently allowed - across from Clark Stadium - may be maintained as parking, but not expanded; no other parking is permitted on the Greenbelt."

Jenkins went on to state that if voters approve the measure, "...it will not significantly alter the current regulations as they apply to the Greenbelt." Jenkins also added that the beach is also designated open space and that private development on it is prohibited.  "Ballot Measure 'E' would change the beach zone designation from open space to restricted open space and may significantly alter the current regulations on the beach," writes Jenkins. "The stated intention of the ballot measure is to prohibit construction, development and improvements on the beach, except for the replacement and repair of existing improvements within their existing footprint ... Because the word 'improvements' is nowhere defined, the prohibition could encompass a broad range of structures and facilities, both permanent and temporary."

Proponents of the measure include a local activist involved in the Stop Oil issue, Rosamond Fogg. Local residents Christine Wagenbrenner, Kathy Bergstrom and David Garrett also support the measure along with council candidate Jack Janken.

Brutsch, who drafted the argument in the voter's guide, states that more than 2,000 registered voters signed the petition supporting the measure.  "This initiative will place the beach under the same restricted open space zoning as the Greenbelt," writes Brutsch. "It will prevent any three-person majority on the City Council from paving any more of the Greenbelt for parking or adding a solid surface on the beach for a bike path without prior approval of the voters. This initiative contains no provision, which would interfere with the city's permitting process for beach activities such as those historically allowed. The initiative also is not intended to and does not prohibit the use of temporary structures, such as grandstands, for beach activities permitted by the city."

Opponents of the measure include City Councilmen Sam Edgerton, Peter Tucker and Art Yoon, along with residents Jean Lombardo and Lisa Ryder Moore, professional beach volleyball player Eric Fonoimoana, and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bill Sigler.

The argument in the voter's guide against the measure was drafted by Edgerton, who stated that the initiative, "...would ban beach activities such as volleyball tournaments, summer sunset concerts and volleyball nets in new locations. It would also ban needed storm water runoff improvements."

Last November, the council voted to put the initiative on this year's November ballot preventing the construction of new parking areas on the city's Greenbelt and a bike path on the beach without a vote of the people. It also voted to direct Jenkins to prepare a report outlining his legal opinion on the effects of an initiative in terms of its language that will prevent future development on the Greenbelt and the beach.

With the help of their attorneys, Brutsch (a former City Councilman), Roberts and Creighton (a former City Councilman) drafted the measure that they circulated and collected enough certified signatures by Hermosa Beach registered voters.

The council and the initiative backers failed to agree on certain language that would appease both parties and so the council voted to oppose the initiative. Creighton and Brutsch, however, claim that none of what Edgerton contends would be affected will be by the measure that aims to basically protect the Greenbelt from a site of future parking lots or the beach from the site of a future bike path.

The city's Greenbelt is currently designated as open space and, therefore, subject to the open space provisions of the city's zoning code related to open space laws. The open space areas, known as the O-S-1 zones, are designated as permanent spaces for public parks and recreation areas.

The code also prohibits the development or construction of a building, structure or improvement unless specifically authorized by the City Council.

According to the petition that was circulated, the city's code currently allows for additional paving for parking in the area. Brutsch, Creighton and Roberts would like to amend this section of the code to read, "Replacement or repairs of existing improvements to the O-S-1 zone within their footprint existing on the date of adoption of this ordinance shall be allowed."

The initiative would also add the beach as an existing open space zone through a code amendment, which would be the area bounded by city limits on the north and south sides and on the east by The Strand wall.

The Beach Reporter – July 28, 2005

Hermosa Beach News

HB City Council summary (7/28)

By Whitney Youngs

Open Space Ballot measure - Following a rousing debate between City Attorney Mike Jenkins and Councilman Sam Edgerton, the Hermosa Beach City Council Tuesday night voted on the wording and adopted several resolutions for a November ballot initiative aimed at prohibiting construction of new public improvements on the beach and Greenbelt.

The wording, which is required to be as nonbiased as possible, was drafted by Jenkins and City Clerk Elaine Doerfling. and was altered to now read, "Shall an ordinance be adopted adding the beach to the restricted open space zone by prohibiting any improvements in the O-S-1 zone except for landscaping, irrigation, erosion control and replacement or repair of existing improvements within their existing footprints?"

At its last meeting the council voted to take a stance opposing the measure, claiming its statement of intent is overly restrictive and too ambiguous. Edgerton has agreed to write the arguments opposing the measure that will be included in the voter pamphlet.  Backers of the initiative - including its authors Gary Brutsch, Gerald Roberts and Roger Creighton - say the initiative is aimed at preventing construction of major significance on the city's two biggest open spaces without a vote of the people.

Last November, the council voted to put the initiative on the November ballot that would prevent the construction of new parking areas on the city's Greenbelt and a bike path on the beach without a vote of the people. It also voted to direct Jenkins to prepare a report outlining his legal opinion on the effects of an initiative in terms of its language that will prevent future development on the Greenbelt and the beach.

At that time, the council had the option to either adopt the measure; put it on the November 2005 ballot; or request a report that will review how the measure will affect the city's zoning ordinances, general plan and specific building plans, along with its fiscal impact.  With the help of their attorneys, Brutsch (a former City Councilman), Roberts and Creighton (a former City Councilman) drafted the measure that they circulated and collected enough certified signatures by Hermosa Beach registered voters.

At its June 28 meeting, the council agreed to form a subcommittee comprising City Manager Steve Burrell, Jenkins, Councilman Michael Keegan and Reviczky to try to formulate language with the authors of the November ballot measure to create less ambiguity so that beach projects such as Tyco's underground fiber-optic cable that runs 10 feet under the sand into the ocean and other improvements wouldn't have to go before the voters. The authors of the measure contend it is not their intent to restrict usual improvements that occur on the beach or Greenbelt.

Congestion management - The council also voted to adopt a resolution that certifies its compliance with the state's Congestion Management Plan as required by Proposition 111.  The law requires cities to adopt and implement a Transportation Demand Management Plan and so cities must provide documentation on an annual basis. The plans provide the state with evidence that cities are in compliance with its Congestion Management Plan.  The plan provides a link between development, transportation and air quality through the reduction of car trips and by way of various transportation measures.

Completion of Pier project - The council also agreed to increase the city's contract amount for construction management and inspection services with Harris and Associates by $60,000 to cover an extended working day schedule for the third phase of the pier renovation project.  A total of 31 working days have been added to the project's contract with the city-hired construction firm, Hopkins Construction, citing the completion date as Sept. 6.  The city's Public Works Department said it had to extend its contract with Harris by two months at a rate of $30,000 per month. The delays have been attributed to "...changes in precast bollards and the Tim Kelley statue base," along with the "...complexity of the project and mistakes on the plans," according to the staff report.

The Beach Reporter - February 3, 2005

Hermosa Beach News

Annual police report cites 2004 crime stats (2/3)

By Whitney Youngs

According to Hermosa Beach's annual statistical report for 2004, major crime in most categories exhibited a downward direction compared to 2003, but just like in 2003, there was a continued upward trend in the category of the number of adults arrested. 

According to the report, of the major crimes reported - murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft and auto theft - the police documented 714 crimes in 2004 compared to 752 crimes reported in 2003.

"It's always been described to me over the years that our crime rate is somewhat flat and I think this year's report is still somewhat characteristic of that," said Hermosa Beach Police Chief Mike Lavin. "We are up in a few categories, we are down in a few others. There are no real significant changes."

Police reported no murders this year compared to one last year while sex crimes declined from 11 cases in 2003 to seven cases in 2004.

The murder reported in 2003 was that of Hermosa Beach resident Joel Bues, 25, who was killed in his car at the intersection of Pier Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway in March 2003 at approximately 12:45 a.m.

Bues was shot to death while driving his BMW, which he pulled up to a red light at the intersection in the outside left-hand turning lane. Police were never sure if the shooting was a random act of violence or if Bues knew the suspect.

According to the report, robbery rose slightly with 20 cases reported in 2004 compared to 13 in 2003.

Assaults increased by only three cases from 140 in 2003 to 143 in 2004. On the other hand, burglary reports declined by three cases from 143 in 2003 to 140 in 2004.

Theft, which includes grand and petty thefts, and auto theft also declined in 2004. In the area of theft, police reported 388 cases in 2003 compared to 359 in 2004; and in auto thefts, police had reported 80 in 2002 and 56 in 2003, which are both up from 2004's 45 reported cases. DUI reports also decreased from 285 in 2003 to 164 in 2004.

"I not sure exactly why we have seen a drop in DUIs," said Lavin. "We still participate with the South Bay DUI Task Force which deploys every month. In addition to that, we are still out there doing our own thing."

Police continued arresting more people this year with 1,388 adults arrested. The figure continues to grow each year, setting new records in more than a decade. Police arrested 1,315 adults in 2003, which had already constituted the highest number of arrests since 1991.

"I think the large number of arrests is a result of the activity downtown," added Lavin. "It brings us an awful lot of business.

I'm not sure if we are necessarily seeing larger crowds. My impression is that the size is very much the same over the years. What we are seeing is a very transient crowd - a lot of different people who are circulating through just in the different people we arrest. People who are in the area have heard about Hermosa Beach and want to come check it out."

Juvenile arrests in 2004 were reported at 20 compared to 28 in 2003.

Police once again reported no fatal traffic accidents in 2004, 2003 or 2002; and reported 60 injury traffic accidents in 2004 compared to 88 in 2003. In the downtown area, the Police Department has had to staff foot patrols in the downtown area virtually every night of the week, which is an indication that the area has become more active during the week as well as the weekends.

"It remains busy on the weekends, in particular, but even now during the week it's busy, busy enough where we would never staff foot patrols down there at night we are now staffing them about six nights of the week," explained Lavin.

"We almost have to maintain a presence down there to kind of keep things under rein. People get intoxicated and start fighting, and if we weren't down there to stop it, we would see our misdemeanor batteries escalating into felony assaults with deadly weapons.

Someone could even go to the point of killing someone else just because they are in a drunken stupor and they're doing something really stupid. So really one of the real basic missions of the officers down there is to try and stop those disturbances from getting out of hand."

The number of police calls for service decreased this year from 32,241 to 30,215 while the number of disturbance calls rose from 3,025 to 4,201. The number of parking citations also increased from 46,800 to 51,137.