A tense scene erupted at Horny Corner Beach in Long Beach late Thursday night when a group of teenagers got into a violent altercation. Several were taken into custody after chaos ensued in the Belmont Shore area.
This disorderly event unfolded as the sun set on the first summer vacation night for many local students, including those from nearby Woodrow Wilson High School, which has more than 3,300 enrolled.
Local residents, worried about the situation, alerted the police, reporting teenagers, some clad in bikini tops, exchanging blows.
The Long Beach Police Department responded quickly, arriving within minutes of the initial calls, their sirens blaring as they came to the scene just before 7 p.m.
Upon their arrival, officers began to break up a gathering of about 200 teenagers congregated at Horny Corner Beach, located near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Bayshore Avenue.
At some point, another scuffle broke out a few blocks away near Ocean Boulevard and Termino Avenue, prompting the police to detain several teens.
Police Chief Wally Hebeish commented that such disturbances can divert law enforcement resources, affecting their ability to respond to potentially serious incidents elsewhere.
“Major disturbances like this drain our resources and divert officers from responding to other safety concerns in Long Beach,” he noted.
Even as late as 9:45 p.m., some juveniles remained on the beach. Officers made several announcements regarding curfew regulations, but many teens refused to leave.
Ultimately, five individuals were arrested for breaching the city’s curfew and were subsequently taken home to their families.
As the summer season progresses, law enforcement plans to maintain a stronger presence at the area’s beaches, at least through the weekend. Chief Hebeish emphasized that any incidents of violence or legal violations would not be tolerated.
