Newport Beach city officials are looking to take down “teen takeovers” in the city by implementing curfews for minors and imposing stricter traffic control during some holiday weekends.
It comes after the city saw a “teen takeover” on the Fourth of July weekend, with multiple fights breaking out, fireworks being let off in the street and a Pavilions grocery store looted.
[Read: Newport Beach Eyes Stricter Laws After 400 Arrested in Fourth of July Chaos]
City officials voted unanimously Tuesday to implement a curfew for minors from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day along the Balboa Peninsula and allow stricter control of traffic, like parking lot and street closures.
“This gives us an additional piece of armor on these holidays,” said Councilmember Erik Weigand at the city council meeting.
The overhauled ordinance also allows for increased traffic control during the three holidays – giving the police chief or city manager the ability to restrict pedestrian and vehicle access to certain areas, close piers, parks and sections of beaches, designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up points, and create temporary curfews.
“We have new ordinances on our books, new responsibility to how we address something nine months from now,” Councilmember Noah Blom said at Tuesday’s meeting. “That is probably some of the more efficient government that I can imagine in my life.”
The abrupt gathering on Fourth of July was spurred by social media posts, leading to thousands descending upon the city, eventually seeing more than 400 total arrests, with 328 occurring shortly after midnight on July 5, according to the ordinance.
The ordinance also reports that 33 arrests and 63 citations were administered over Labor Day weekend in 2025, and 60 arrests were made and 287 citations were issued over Memorial Day weekend in 2026.
Over 97% of those arrested on the Fourth of July weekend in Newport Beach were from outside the city and about 20% were between the ages of 13 and 18, according to a staff report.
CREDIT: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC
Currently, the city has two areas deemed “safety enhancement zones” – one in Corona Del Mar and one in Balboa Peninsula.
During designated times, like spring break, Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend, fines for infractions are tripled in these areas.
According to the ordinance, the newly minted curfew is to “encourage parental supervision, reduce opportunities for victimization and criminal conduct, and assist law enforcement officers in safely restoring public order while minimizing unnecessary contacts between minors and the criminal justice system.”
However, there will be several exceptions to the curfew, including employment, emergencies, travel, religious activities, school functions and if parental supervision is present.
Councilmember Robyn Grant wanted to create a committee to hear more from the community on public safety concerns during major holidays.
“I am going to support this initiative tonight, but I am hopeful that, as we move forward, that we will have an opportunity to bring together a group of council members or others to go through all of these measures that we are entertaining so that we do have a comprehensive approach,” she said.
The council ultimately voted 4-3 against forming an ad hoc committee specifically to look at public safety, with Councilmembers Michelle Barto, Joe Stapleton and Grant voting in favor of the committee being created.
The committee would have been made up of three members appointed by the mayor and would advise the council on matters of public safety during holiday periods.
Blom said the committee proposal is redundant.
“The idea that we’re going to be beating a dead horse into another public committee, where we’re going to rehash the same ideas without anybody that is a professional in any of these things is insane to me.”
Michelle King is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. You can reach her at mcaitlin254@gmail.com.
