Laguna Beach extends ordinance prohibiting weapons at demonstrations on public property
An urgency ordinance prohibiting the possession of items or articles generally considered to be weapons or that could be used as weapons while attending rallies and demonstrations was extended Tuesday to include public streets, sidewalks, property and city facilities, following a vote by the Laguna Beach City Council.
The ordinance was initially adopted in September 2017 after an “America First†rally was held on Main Beach, prohibiting the possession of what could be considered a weapon while attending or participating in a demonstration, rally, protest or other public assembly at a city beach or park.
Extension of the ordinance comes in response to rallies and demonstrations held in opposition to orders and regulations relating to the coronavirus pandemic. A staff report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting said the ordinance will “best [protect] the event participants, nonparticipating members of the public and public safety personnel.â€
Protesters expressed their discontent with the stay-at-home orders and Orange County beach closures in Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach on Saturday.
“On May 2, when both the police department and marine safety responded to the ‘Open California’ rally, participants stated that the ordinance did not specifically state that they could not carry flags attached to poles on city sidewalks and proceeded to do so,†Police Chief Laura Farinella said Tuesday.
“These poles could have easily been used as weapons or could have unintentionally struck cars, bikes or motorcycles driving past them on the street,†Farinella said. “Some of the poles are very long, increasing this possibility.â€
No additional discussion was held on the extension of the ordinance, and it was approved unanimously by the City Council.
Due to good compliance with social distancing guidelines, Laguna Beach unanimously approved Tuesday all city beaches for active use from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to noon for weekends.
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