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Resident raises July 4 safety concerns at Caspian Avenue beach; police pledge extra officers for holiday weekend
Summary
A resident described violence and ordinance violations at Caspian Avenue on prior Fourth of July weekends and asked the council for a proactive policing plan; Police Chief Sarcos said extra officers will be assigned to the July weekend and the department will monitor the area.
A resident who said he lives near the Caspian Avenue beach told the council he feared a repeat of last year’s violent incidents during the July 4 weekend and asked for a proactive safety plan; Police Chief Sarcos told the council the department will deploy extra officers for the holiday weekend.
Caller Steve Lascarides described last year’s July 4 disturbances at Caspian Avenue — including rock‑throwing, a reported BB gun incident and cars driving recklessly near children — and asked the city to take steps to prevent a repeat. "Last last year, we basically had, best way to put it, a riot of adolescents, running around the beach and the streets and throwing rocks at residences," he said, and offered to share video evidence with officials.
Council members asked whether the police had a plan. Police Chief Sarcos responded that July 4 is one of the busiest weekends of the year and that "we all have extra officers working that weekend" and that the department would keep a particular watch on Caspian Avenue and other busy areas.
No changes to city code or an ordinance were adopted; the chief’s statement served as an operational assurance that extra staffing would be assigned over the holiday weekend. Councilmembers thanked the caller and indicated they expected continued coordination between police and community leaders.
