Long Beach considers curfew for bars at Belmont Shore

LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Long Beach City Council is considering implementing a curfew for bars in the popular Belmont Shore area after a string of violence, including a deadly shooting last month. 

What we know:

The council will vote on whether to have the city manager develop a late-night safety plan, which could include a temporary midnight curfew on bars and alcohol-serving businesses. 

“Who needs to drink after 12 o’clock? It seems like everything happens then. I think there are a lot of people in our community that are just fed up with it,” said Long Beach resident Jeannie Jones. 

People who frequent the area told FOX11 they’d like to see either a curfew or a stepped-up police presence, which is another option the city is exploring. 

What they’re saying:

“I think people wouldn’t feel as emboldened to do risky behaviors if there was an increased police presence. I think it might help the businesses down here too,” said Stefan, who lives in Long Beach.

David Newell lives down the street from where 32-year-old Jeremy Spears was shot and killed last month.  

“It’s increasingly becoming a problem and they’re going to have to do something. Because people want to come down here, have a good dinner and enjoy themselves and feel safe,” said Newell.

There was also a deadly stabbing last year at Dave’s Hot Chicken. 

Neighbors just want something to be done. 

“I think it’s a good thing to maybe kind of test run, see what it looks like but you know what really needs to happen, they need to put more law enforcement at night past 10 p.m.,” said Vince Wilson.

What’s next:

If the council moves forward, the city manager has 45 days to develop a late-night safety plan.

The Source: Information for this story came from the Long Beach City Council and local Long Beach residents. 

Long Beach