PubClub.com Puts ‘Boots On The Ground’ For this First-Person Report At A Popular Orange County Beach
On a sunny Saturday, the police were out in force in Huntington Beach, keeping people off the sand and even out of the water. Headed into the weekend, the county said it would not be enforcing the closed beach directive, but as PubClub.com witnessed, it was in fact in full effect.
Here is a “boots on the ground” report from Huntington Beach.
• The beaches were empty. A few people were gathered in small groups of two to six on the sand by the bike and running path, but they were dispersed over a wide area and were told to leave once police got to them.
• The Strand (the beach path) was closed for two blocks north and south of the pier. Otherwise, people were walking, running and biking on it. In other words, they were getting exercise and kept moving. In the area around the pier, police told people they could be on the sidewalk next to Pacific Coast Highway.
• Police told PubClub they were initially just asking people leave, but if folks did not, they were prepared to issue citations.
• In the afternoon, two surfers went out into the water, five to six blocks north of the pier, to catch some waves. They ignored bullhorn announcements from the lifeguards on the beach but were then ordered out of the water when a lifeguard boat pulled up next to them. Disappointed, they complied this time.
• PubClub observed only about 10% of the couple hundred people in the area wearing masks.
• American flags have been placed on the beach in the shape of two hearts. They were likely put there by protesters on Friday.
• There are nearly 20 tankers, full of oil, lined up in the ocean. They are unable to unload their supply because there is nowhere to store it in L.A., or the O.C.
Photos From Huntington Beach Closure & Enforcement
Because on Friday-
“Orange County Superior Court judge declined requests for temporary restraining orders lifting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders to close Orange County’s beaches.
Attorneys for the cities of Huntington Beach and Dana Point went before Hon. Nathan R. Scott in Santa Ana Friday afternoon asking to halt the beach closures.
Scott denied the request for a temporary restraining order that was also supported by the City of Newport Beach.”
Thank you!