California law enforcement staying busy patrolling closed beaches

Many beaches closed as coronavirus spreads

LOS ANGELES — As the coronavirus surges in the state, Californians celebrated Independence Day with virtual parades featuring air flyovers and photos of flag-draped front porches instead of pancake breakfasts and crowded festivities.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officers were out, reminding people to wear masks in public and turning away disappointed sun-seekers from beaches that were closed for the holiday weekend.

California is in a make-or-break moment with infection rates and hospitalizations rising sharply. Gov. Gavin Newsom this week ordered the three-week closures of bars, indoor restaurant dining areas and other indoor venues for 21 of 58 counties, including, Los Angeles and San Diego.

The rollbacks have been frustrating for businesses emerging from months without customers after Newsom ordered people to stay home in mid-March. Public health officials pleaded with people to obey social distancing and mask-wearing requirements and to stay home this holiday because crowds could further fuel the outbreak.

Half Moon Bay on the Pacific Coast near San Francisco set up barricades to prevent beach access, but determined beachgoers Friday simply carried children and gear over the blockades.

“So our sheriffs patrols were just driving up and down the coast,” said Jessica Blair, city communications director. “It was just a revolving door of people climbing over the barricades, getting set up and getting kicked out.” She expected problems to continue Saturday.

The Southern California cities of West Hollywood and Santa Monica, as well as the central coast city of Monterey, are enforcing mask mandates with tickets ranging from $100 to $300 for a first offense. About 200 state inspectors that are part of new “strike teams” set up by Newsom are fanning out over the weekend to enforce rules.

Seal Beach police Sgt. Nick Nicholas said Saturday extra officers are out in the Orange County city to make sure people stay off the beaches. He said the department’s goal is to educate people on wearing masks, but they won’t be so forgiving when it comes fireworks, which are not allowed anywhere in the city.

“We are taking a zero tolerance approach to fireworks,” he said.

On Saturday, California reported 6,500 newly confirmed cases, bringing the state’s total to more than a quarter million virus cases. The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.

Many communities canceled annual fireworks shows and limited or closed beaches. The beach closures began Friday from Los Angeles County northward through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. To the south in Orange County, hugely popular beaches such as Huntington and Newport were to close Saturday and Sunday.

Mark Rightmire The Associated Press Umbrellas and blankets are socially distanced Saturday in San Clemente, Calif., which had one of the state’s few open beaches.