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Police Seek Order Following Venice Beach Wave Of Violence
Photo by Neil Armstrong2 via Flickr
SoCal officers are are cracking down on Venice Beach in an effort to set a tone of "public order" following a recent series of violent incidents including a boardwalk shooting during a flash mob and a stabbing at a drum circle, reports the Associated Press.
Fearing crime could spiral, the authorities have started cracking down on the unruliness that typifies the boardwalk - a 1.5-mile ribbon of asphalt that can draw 150,000 people on a summer weekend.
Reinforcements and measures will come in the form of increased patrol (including police from other divisions) and more undercover officers assigned to "infiltrate crowds." Detectives will also reportedly be employing social media to gather intelligence. Dozens have already been arrested for "minor transgressions " like drinking in public and smoking pot, notes the AP.
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