“SURF CITY,” as Huntington Beach is sometimes known, has also had problems with loud and rowdy parties. The city council is trying to crack down on that (Flickr/Pete Ezekely).

Huntington Beach, also known as “Surf City” has sometimes also been a “Party City,” especially around Independence Day.

To better cope with rowdy and loud gatherings and the serving of alcohol to underage persons, the city council last week approved for introduction a new ordinance making it easier to identify and hold responsible people who misbehave and to recover the costs of sending police officers to deal with the problem. 

Among other things, the ordinance would allow for a $250 fee for police services to quell such unruly parties, but the amount could be more depending on any damages or injuries caused by rowdy party-goers.

According to the city, in 2023 there were nine separate calls for calls for service requiring multiple officers to respond to Alabama Street on July 4, including reports of objects being thrown into the street.