Save Newport Real News in Newport Beach
When Dixon initially came out and tried to restrict the bars open past 11pm, she said this:
Basically, she said there were three options:
1) Restrict already-existing late-night businesses
2) Create a voluntary group that works with her
3) Saturate the peninsula with police officers
Well, #1 and #3 didn’t sound very good, so I got all the bar owners together and they all agreed to the voluntary meetings. After that, she still tried to pass #1. She failed. Then, Dixon promised all the owners that she would work with them to ensure the community spirit was not lost.
She lied. She is now continuing to push for item #3: more policing. Did she consult the establishment owners? No. Did she even give the solution of #2 a chance at working? No.
In fact, here is the exact quote from what will be voted on Tuesday: “Focus a strong but community-friendly public safety presence on the Balboa Peninsula, where three additional police officers and one sergeant will work to provide a good visitor and resident experience with our many eating and drinking establishments.” See the image for yourself:
Let me make this statement abundantly clear: She wants to hire four new police officers to patrol a mere 20 businesses. Overkill? That is ONE COP FOR EVERY FIVE BUSINESSES.
Dixon is attempting to use the police as a tool to destroy our peninsula nightlife– a tradition that has been here since the founding of Newport Beach.
A byproduct of this irresponsible increase of the public-employee unions is that it will unabashedly destroy property values on the peninsula and surrounding areas.
UPDATE: 5/22/2015 @9:53am : After bringing attention to this item, the city changed the wording significantly, omitting the original intent and now they are saying that these very same officers will be used to enforce “boardwalk issues”, instead. What in the heck is going on up there?
The council will be voting on this Tuesday at 7pm in the new council chambers.
