U.S. Open of Surfing wants to stay in Huntington Beach despite unrest

1/16

A rioter smashes a stop sign through the windows of a bike shop at Main and Orange Streets in downtown Huntington Beach on Sunday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

2/16

A man cheers after smashing the sign through the bike shop window. Police would not say whether arrests were made. The violence followed the conclusion of the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

3/16

At least one bike was stolen Sunday night. Passersby persuaded others to stop looting. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

4/16

People try to fend off rioters who began to loot the Easyrider retail store on Main Street in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

5/16

Police move rioters away from Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

6/16

A large group of people gather on the corner of Main and Orange streets in downtown Huntington Beach following the U.S. Open of Surfing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

7/16

Police open fire with pepper spray and rubber bullets after giving an order to disperse at the corner of Main and Orange streets in downtown Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

8/16

A woman assists a man wincing in pain and attempting to give himself up after being shot with a rubber bullet. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

9/16

A man winces in pain after being shot with a rubber bullet while confronting a large squadron of police in riot gear on Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

10/16

After being shot with a rubber bullet, a man continues to confront police in riot gear on Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

11/16

A man surrenders after being shot with a rubber round while confronting a large contingent of police in downtown Huntington Beach following the U.S. Open of Surfing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

12/16

Huntington Beach police officers make a stand at the corner of Main and Orange streets after a store was looted. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

13/16

People watch from inside a restaurant as a squadron of police in riot gear confront rioters on Main Street. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

14/16

Police used tear gas and nonlethal weapons to clear the crowd. (Allen J. Schaben, / Los Angeles Times)

15/16

Authorities say the violence was put down in about two hours. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

16/16

A woman takes photos as police force get into position to fend off rioters along Pacific Coast Highway in downtown Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

By Emily Foxhall, Anh Do and Joseph Serna

July 30, 2013 8 AM PT

Despite a violent end to the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, the event’s executive producer said organizers want the competition to remain in Surf City.

James Leitz, executive producer of the surfing competition, blamed an otherwise successful event on a small group of unruly beachgoers.

“It comes down to a few people,” he said. “They play a game of cat and mouse. They’ll start something here then go there. And that’s exactly what happened.”

PHOTOS: Huntington Beach disturbance

Leitz said a downtown task force of residents and business owners would look for ways to make the event safer in the future.

Locals have complained that for years the tournament has attracted people who drink in their cars, urinate in public and leave trash behind. Michael Heh, who has lived off the main drag since 2009, said the event this year seemed like more of a nuisance than in years past.

“It seemed bigger, more people and more rowdy,” said Heh, 48. “I’ve never seen this many people packed into Main Street.”

Kimberly Krosner, a kindergarten teacher, said she avoids Main Street during the competition. Krosner said she was frustrated with the rowdy crowds, particularly those from out of town.

“It’s way too crowded, and there’s no parking,” she said. “We who live here love our city. What I would say to the outsiders is: Why don’t you treat this as if it were your own home? You wouldn’t destroy your home.”

At a news conference Monday, city leaders praised police for their work in trying to control the crowd. Authorities said officers on the ground fired pepper balls and nonlethal projectiles at rioters.

Several officers sustained minor injuries, and one person was treated and released from a hospital after being hit by a rubber projectile.

“It could’ve been much worse than it was,” Mayor Connie Boardman said. “There was a plan in place to call on mutual aid in case it was needed. I think our police acted with great restraint given the crowd. They contained it very well.”

Of those arrested in connection with the riot, only one was from Huntington Beach: 24-year-old Andres Gomez, who was booked on suspicion of refusing to disperse and resisting arrest.

Huntington Beach police said the others booked on suspicion of charges related to disorderly conduct and resisting arrest include Michael John Lytle, 30, of Anaheim; Michael Anthony Avila, 28, of Santa Ana; Joseph Monterrosa, 28, of Ontario; Adam A. Cecot, 18, of Irvine; Chase Scott Christman, 19, of Simi Valley; and Kyle Roger Crott, 18, of Riverside.

ALSO:

Airline worker caught on camera stealing luggage, officials say

Bars in WeHo plan Stoli vodka protest over Russian anti-gay laws

Baby penguins hatch at Aquarium of the Pacific; watch live webcam

Twitter: @emfoxhall

[email protected]