Newport Beach police report 402 arrests after July 4 disturbances, many out-of-state youths

Newport Beach police said a total of 402 arrests were made between 6 p.m. on Friday, July 3, and 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, after officials declared an unlawful assembly at the popular Fourth of July beach celebration. The arrests, which were largely for refusing to disperse, included a significant number of young adults and juveniles, according to Lt. Eric Little. He added that many of those detained appeared to have traveled from out-of-state locations, with Arizona and Nevada identified as the primary sources.

The police department said roughly half of the arrests occurred during a single incident on the Balboa Peninsula. The gathering, which organizers promoted on TikTok, attracted thousands of people, leading to fights, blocked streets and the use of illegal fireworks that injured at least one officer. A storefront display at a local supermarket was damaged, though the interior remained untouched.

Local residents described the situation as chaotic. One vacationer, identified only as James, said the crowd overwhelmed police and that “fireworks were being thrown in the middle of the police.” Another visitor, Tamara Swindle-Warfield, said authorities instructed residents to shelter in place, preventing them from leaving their homes or accessing restaurants.

City officials said the incident was far above the typical holiday crowd. A councilmember said the city will work with public-safety agencies to prevent a repeat of the disturbances.