Politics & Government

City to Hold Public 6-Man Meeting

Police Chief Eve Irvine and Parks and Recreation Director Richard Gill host a community meeting to gather input and feedback on the event that attracts problematic behavior.

Manhattan Beach residents and business owners are encouraged to participate in a meeting about the effects of the International Surf Festival's Charlie Saikley 6-Man beach volleyball tournament. 

The meeting will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Joslyn Center, 1601 N. Valley Drive. 

Said City Manager Dave Carmany, "This meeting was organized in response to comments received at the last City Council meeting; several residents and property owners complained about the event/attendees. It will be an informal meeting chaired by the [police] chief to harvest additional concerns and talk about the city's response to events and management of the 6-Man."

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The 2011 6-Man was held on Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31, on the sand south of the Manhattan Beach Pier and brought about 70,000 people to the downtown MB area.

While play on the sand has been tamed down through the enforcement of stricter rules [no alcohol], young adults, adults and underage youths invade the downtown area, drinking heavily at bars, restaurants, and on public and residential property. Inebriated, these individuals frequently become ill, throwing up in the residential neighborhoods, urinating in public and other unsavory behavior.

Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Manhattan Beach Police Department uses all of its available staff to control the crowds and keep the public safe. The 2010 tournament was about $50,000 in the red due to the increase in on-duty police officers. As of posting time, the cost of the 2011 tournament is undetermined but initial estimates in June put it at $100,000 in the red.

MBPD made some 35 arrests this year and about 30 in 2010. In 2009 and years prior, when the entire police department was not used, the tournament averaged six to ten arrests, according to former Police Chief Rod Uyeda.

The tournament is a cherished MB event, with 51 years to its name. The Simmzy's/Becker's team won the 2011 tournament, knocking out three-peat champs Team Smack [aka Magnum].


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