Gang Fight at the Beach

I read with interest the Community Essay May 11 (“No One Came Back on the 911 Line” by Elena De Vos Binder), and and wish to bring some things to the author’s attention. The fight you observed (actually there were two fights at two different locations) involved two groups of 10 to 15 street gang members from Harbor City and Wilmington.

You described the combatants as older boys, not big enough to be called men. In reality, those arrested ranged in age from 17 to 29. As to your comments, “no lifeguards, no police,” Officer Jeff Sumners was patrolling the bike path in his patrol car when he observed several citizens pointing northward. Sumners radioed for assistance when he contacted 10 to 15 individuals fighting and kicking an individual on the ground. Sumners showed great courage by capturing three of these gang members. Police officers and one private citizen detained and subsequently arrested eight male suspects--six adults and two juveniles. They were charged with various counts of assault with a deadly weapon, battery, resisting arrest and probation and parole violations.

The victim gang member was contacted and refused to accept offers of medical aid, although he had been struck on the head with a beer bottle, kicked and punched and sustained injuries to his head and upper torso. The victim also refused to cooperate with the prosecution of his attackers. He stated to our officer, “I guess the sun got in my eyes and I fell down.” It is therefore important that we have independent witnesses and I am glad you have chosen to come forward to assist your police department and your community.

As to your cellular phone 911 call and being placed on hold, all cell phone 911 calls are answered by the California Highway Patrol. To ensure that a cell phone call promptly reaches your local police, you should program the cellular’s memory with the local police dispatch number.

M.E. NICHOLS

Chief of Police

Redondo Beach Police Department