The city of Newport Beach in Orange County, California, made 402 arrests from the start of July 4 to 6 a.m. on July 5 as Tiktok and other social media posts drew a large influx of juveniles and young adults that caused chaos in riots at Newport Pier and surrounding areas.
“As the crowd rapidly grew, individuals engaged in increasingly dangerous and unlawful behavior, blocking roadways, restricting emergency vehicle access, and throwing explosive mortars, fireworks, and other projectiles at police officers into densely packed crowds and near families with children,” city officials said.
Videos shared online captured much of the activity that also included teens and young adults looting stores such as Pavilions, a grocery store on Balboa Blvd.; stealing street signs; uprooting palm trees; and leaving hoards of trash in many places….