Bridge jump is illegal, police warn

When it’s 80 degrees outside, the bluish-green water beneath the Lido Isle bridge looks enticing. That cool dip — and the thrill of falling 14 feet — is no doubt what draws teenagers and adults alike to take the plunge.

For this reason, Newport Beach Police officers are reminding the public that jumping off the Lido Isle bridge is illegal. The water isn’t very deep and the area is heavy with boat traffic.

“Obviously, if you look at that activity, it’s inherently dangerous,” Newport Beach Police Sgt. Bill Hartford said.

After receiving an unusually large number of calls from residents reporting jumpers, police have distributed a community alert flier to Lido Isle residents. The flier says that it is a misdemeanor to jump or dive from the bridge and anyone who sees someone doing it should call police.

During a three-day period last week, police issued six citations to juveniles and young adults who were caught jumping off the bridge. At the same time, police also wrote tickets for marijuana and alcoholic beverage violations, Hartford said.

At mean tide, the depth underneath the middle of the bridge is 8 to 10 feet, Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol Sgt. Dave Ginther said. But if the tide changes or someone jumps to either side of the center, it could be dangerously shallow.

Once in the water, there’s a risk of unknown debris on the ocean floor and constant boat traffic through the channel, Ginther said.

Jumping off the Lido Isle bridge, and other bridges or piers in Newport, has been against city law since 1954, but that doesn’t stop people from doing it. Local residents say that recreational jumpers are a frequent sight, especially during the summer.

“All the time, every day,” said Lido Isle resident Greg Carranza, who regularly walks his French bulldog, Henry, across the bridge. “They’re just kids. Obviously they’ve done it before.”

On the bridge, three yellow signs are posted advising that there is no jumping or diving from the bridge. Police and harbor patrol officers said they patrol the area to ensure people comply with the rules.

Since the fliers were distributed, Carranza said he’s seen more police in the area and hasn’t seen any jumpers.