Coastal security bill shelved

An Orange County coastal security bill was shelved Thursday by its author after assurances the coastline was adequately protected by Orange County Harbor Patrol, officials said.

Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) announced AB 2873 would be put on the inactive bill file, stating Orange County coastline was protected.

Solorio added that once a new Orange County Sheriff is chosen, that official can help determine if the bill is needed.

The bill intended to keep coastal security levels at the current strength in order to maintain safety.

Solorio’s statement said he intends to continue working with Huntington Beach and Newport Beach on keeping local harbors safe.

“In this era of budgetary crisis, all levels of government are motivated to find ways to save taxpayer money, and public safety is costly,” Silva said in a news release. “So duplication in costs is unjustified, and a breach in national security is unacceptable.”

— Daniel Tedford