The rockets red glaring
Dear ER:
We hear explosions/fireworks in south Hermosa Beach almost every night. Sunday night around 1 a.m., there was a massive barrage of fireworks shot in the sky around the area of 2nd Street and The Strand. This was followed by a huge explosion a few minutes later. We have called the police repeatedly over the past few weeks and months, but the firework explosions just keep continuing. It is very hard to know exactly where the explosions are coming from, but we have seen them over the area of the Strand and 2nd Street. The perpetrators need to be apprehended and held criminally responsible for their behavior. The explosions have disrupted sleep for many months, and our dogs and other dogs in the neighborhood have suffered terribly as well. The services of other city, county, state, and federal agencies might need to be called upon to help deal with this situation, because it cannot be allowed to continue.
Maria and Xavier Haase
Hermosa Beach residents
The ‘bomb train’
Dear ER:
The existing BNSF track in North Redondo Beach is elevated 25 feet above our property (“Metro board holds off on South Bay light rail decision,” ER May 30, 2024). Metro plans to move these tracks 12 to 15 feet closer to our property to make room for the Light rail. We are concerned about derailment by “The Bomb Train.” If the daily BNSF tanker train hauling up to 57 liquefied natural gas tankers were to derail near our homes, it would destroy city blocks, killing thousands of people. This same train derailed January 12, 2017, after rain eroded the tracks. At least four cars jumped the track, and their undercarriages were torn out around 2:30 p.m. near Douglas Street and Chapman Way.
Safety should be the major concern for the 1,624 homes and families who live just feet away. To have 200+ Metro trips over a 20-hour period each day will be for the rest of their lives.”
Build it right, safe, and down Hawthorne Boulevard..
Jan Kurth
ERNews comment
Poser gags, real consequences
Dear ER:
Violence is never the answer (Hermosa man mad as hell at rude, young e-bikers, not taking it anymore,” ER May 30, 2024). I get this man’s frustration, but he will end up in jail. We are not NYC in 1980. My friend who is a middle school teacher once told me if you are an adult arguing with a kid, you lost. I also understand why the police end up arresting adults who physically threaten kids. Can you imagine if they didn’t.
California Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner introduced a bill to ban children under age 12 from riding electric bikes on public streets. E-bike riders who are at least 12 but don’t have a car driver’s license would be required to complete an online course, pass a written test, and get a state ID.
At some point the risk of kids in these “gangs” getting physically attacked, sued or arrested is real. I have seen this at the school. These kids are all bluster until the police drag them juvenile detention, which is horrid in LA. Police will be doing these poser gang kids a favor by engaging with them before they face real consequences. It is only a matter of time before one of these kids suffers life altering consequences for making a dumb kid mistake.
Marie Puterbaugh
Redondo Beach
Hermosa to Haiti
Dear ER:
I have had similar experiences with E-bikers on the Strand (Hermosa man mad as hell at rude, young e-bikers, not taking it anymore,” ER May 30, 2024).. I used to call them out for reckless riding and riding in the Walk Zone. They bumped me and then threatened to call the police. This bullying is the result of police not enforcing existing law against motorized vehicles, including e-bikes, on the Strand and Pier Plaza. With no enforcement there is no respect for the law, and Hermosa Beach will soon become like Hati. E-bike gangs will rule the city.
Hermosa Beach
School lesson
Dear ER:
We’re facing this same attitude at schools Hermosa man mad as hell at rude, young e-bikers, not taking it anymore). Teachers are getting suspended for reprimanding or, the big word trend, yelling at a student. If a children complains to administration that a teachers yelled at them then a confidential investigation takes place. The children and their witnesses are asked leading questions about their experiences in said teacher’s classroom: “What makes you feel sad in Mrs. Robinson’s classroom?” The administration only documents statements that corroborate the accusation. It could take months for the teacher to be notified of an incident. Once the teacher is suspended, it goes on their record with the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing. The teacher’s record is stained for life.
Ann Baker
ERNews comment
A gang by any other name
Dear ER:
The problem is a bunch of rich brats with no accountability Hermosa man mad as hell at rude, young e-bikers, not taking it anymore). The privilege that comes with being born into money combined horrible with policies like “we can’t go after minors for those kinds of infractions.” It looks like people need to carry sticks to jam in the spokes when these e-bike kids start messing with people.
Whether it’s from Compton or Hermosa or the coves in Palos Verdes, a gang is a gang is a gang. Get these kids straightened out before it becomes more than public disturbance and assault.
Walt Hodgson
ERNews comment
What’s good for the e-biker
Dear ER:
It’s too bad it’s impossible to enforce prohibiting e-bikes on the Strand. If banned, then 10 speed bikes, skate boards, and scooters will need to be banned as well because they all can easily reach the 8 mph speed limit on the Strand. “Cowardly” Chief Le Baron? He was asked at a Council Meeting how many serious accidents were caused by e-bike riders on The Strand and he said he knew of none. The 18 speed Lycra clad riders on the weekends that blow through HB stop signs and signals all day long should be cited. They can be easily be enforced with some “stings.” Their should be more “stings” for speeding on the Strand for all of the vehicles listed above.
Dennis Duke Noor
Hermosa Beach
