HUNTINGTON BEACH : Gated Community Seeks Police Patrols

Officials at a gated housing community are asking the Police Department to begin patrolling their private streets, a request that has prompted city officials to consider stricter regulations on such developments.

The homeowners association of the Seacliff on the Green tracts, overlooking the Seacliff Country Club Golf Course, has complained about speeding and parking problems on the neighborhood’s private streets.

Officials at the association representing the 400-home community say they are unable to handle the problem themselves, so they are asking the police to help out.

The Police Department is not responsible for patrolling private streets unless expressly authorized to do so by agreement of the residents and the city.

Many of the private roads are narrow and include sharp turns. Residents say street parking has made the roads difficult to negotiate, and speeding motorists have created a hazard.

Police Chief Ronald E. Lowenberg has recommended that the City Council approve the association’s request. Police now patrol five private communities, he said.

Some council members, however, are hesitant. They argue that if the development had included wider private streets in the first place, the homeowners wouldn’t need the police to intervene.

The council delayed action on its original consideration of the proposal and is scheduled to take up the matter again next Monday. At that meeting, city staff will present a report to the council including possible solutions to the Seacliff on the Greens problem.