Oceanside plans police presence during Fourth

OCEANSIDE — Even without the fireworks, the city of Oceanside is expecting its usual large crowd on the Fourth of July and the police department has set up restrictions for public safety during the weekend events to manage the flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
The areas west of the railroad tracks to the ocean and north and south to the city limits have been designated as a “Safety Enhancement Zone.” Fines for Municipal Code violations will be tripled within the Safety Zone.
Vehicular access to the area west of the railroad tracks, between Wisconsin Avenue and the Harbor Beach will be controlled by various road closures. The areas primarily impacted by the festivities will be Mission Avenue, Pacific Street, Coast Highway 101, The Strand and the beach.
Parking lots will be designated for handicapped, resident and resident guest parking on a first come basis. On July 4, Sportfisher Drive between Pacific Street and Myers Street and Ash Street between Myers Street and the alley will be closed. Vehicles parked in these areas will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Motorists are advised to check all parking lots for closures. Parking Enforcement will post designated lots with “No Parking” signs advising residents and visitors. All parking is on a first-come-first-served basis. All parking lots west of the railroad tracks (not including The Strand) will be available for residents and guests.
Vehicle access will be allowed into closed areas on a limited basis to residents and guests of residents with off-street parking only. Proper identification will be required to verify the residents’ address.
Handicapped Parking in the immediate beach area is located on the north side of the Beach Community Center (Lot 30) and The Strand and Wisconsin (Lot 31). Handicapped passengers are allowed to be dropped off at Surfrider Way at The Strand.
With no public fireworks display in the city this year, Police Officers will be teaming up with
Oceanside Fire Prevention personnel to confiscate all illegal fireworks. It is a reminder to all that possessions of fireworks are illegal in the city and county.
The Fire Department will have emergency personnel pre-staged in both the Harbor Beach and Pier area and the Oceanside Lifeguard Service will be fully staffed for the busy weekend. The Oceanside Police Department will have more than 200 officers in the area operating on a zero tolerance against crimes and acts of civil unrest. Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited, as well as public drunkenness. Smoking is prohibited on the beach, pier and in public places. There are no dogs, or bicycles, allowed on The Strand on July 4 and no tents are allowed on the beach. No skateboards are allowed on public streets at any time.
For more information, visit www.ci.oceanside.ca.us or call (760) 435-5227. For information concerning programmed activities on The Strand on the Fourth of July, visit MainStreet Oceanside’s Web site at http://www.msoceanside.com/Events/page15/page15.html.