Violence After Huntington Beach Surfing Competition

The disorder and rioting began after the last day of the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing events. An eyewitness said that it was about 20 minutes after the violence began until the first police showed up. Since this event has been a flash-point of violence and rioting in the past, it seems incompetent that it took 20 minutes for police to respond. One would think there would be police present on site at the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing events and especially as the events ended because of past violence and mob action.

As reported by Jacob Rascon for Today in LA (Yes, I realize Huntington Beach is in Orange County):

A violent crowd raged through Huntington Beach on Sunday night after a surfing competition, clashing with police, toppling portable toilets, brawling in the streets and vandalizing and looting at least one business, according to police and witnesses.

The violence erupted among a crowd of thousands gathered for the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, which includes surfing, skateboarding and BMX biking events, possibly after a fistfight in downtown Huntington Beach (map). City vehicles, newspaper racks and street signs also were damaged in the wave of violence on and near Main Street.

Police made eight arrests on suspicion of failure to disperse, according to a Huntington Beach Police Department statement.

People strapped bandanas across their faces and threw rocks and bottles at police officers. Police donned riot gear and fired back with pepper balls.

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