By putting the whole city in legal action, they can force them to keep an eye on the beach. Wouldn’t it be fun to be on the Anti-Localism Surf squad?

Is your city responsible for your behavior?

Will Taps always be played because of localism?

On Tuesday, a California appeals court reopened a lawsuit filed by two Los Angeles County surfers against the city of Palos Verdes Estates. The lawsuit alleges that the city of Palos Verdes is responsible for harming surfers at the hands of the local Lunada Bay Boys, “America’s most infamous surf gang,” according to Newsweek.

This will be the first time that a municipality, and not an individual, will be held responsible for local acts.

In case you don’t know, here’s a summary:

A group of locals hailing from the wealthy estates of Palos Verdes used various methods to force outsiders to surf elsewhere. Rocks are thrown, tires are slashed, surfers are swimming, feelings are hurt, and so on.

Matters escalated to breaking point in 2016 when former LAPD officer and current plaintiff Corey Spencer and director and model Diana Reed sued members of the Lunada Bay Boys for assault, alleging the boys were disgusted by them.

Spencer claims that one of the Boys hit him in the water.

The original costume was intended for members of the Bay Boys; A new suit is driving out of town.

At the center of the trial is a stone fort built by boys (men). The building served as a haven and epicenter for alleged terrorist attacks. In addition to serving as a place to gather, drink beer, and roast meat (a euphemism?), the fort acted as a barrier to visitors, limiting free access to the beach and its waves.

Spencer’s lawsuit alleges that city officials allowed the stone and wood fort, now demolished, to stand in the knowledge that it was acting as a bullying bee nest.

Spencer and his lawyers allege that the city actually “colluded with the Bay Boys to privatize Lunada Bay.”

Because Palos Verdes Estates knew of the structure but were unable to remove it until Spencer attacked (the twelve boys agreed not to enter the bay for one year or pay up to ninety thousand), they may also be liable for damages.

Under the California Coastal Act, the establishment of a structure such as a stone fort on any public beach is considered “development” and requires approval and a rigorous planning process, which the city has clearly not done.

“The city, as a landowner,” the appeals court said, “violated the Coastal Act by holding an unauthorized rock fort on its property for decades.”

The city of Palos Verdes claims they have been monitoring the area at all times, keeping it safe for everyone.

However, the lawsuit could create problems for Palos Verdes Estates and possibly any other municipality in California with localism issues. After all, what difference does it make if one or two guys get arrested and fined a few bucks for fighting on the beach.

But making an entire city the target of lawsuits could give city councils a boost.

It could also force cities to step up beach security a bit. Make sure everyone is smiling and such.

(Wouldn’t it be fun to be in the Anti-Localism Surf squad? I’m dreaming of a uniform already.)

Now a few words about both sides:

The Lunada Bay Boys – a moniker that impresses more with chiffon and leather shorts with tap shoes in the evening than a surfer gang – have no legal right to keep anyone out of the waves. To some, however, it may seem that the bay is their home, and every house needs a strong door with keys.

But…

Matt Warshaw’s Encyclopedia of Surfing notes that “since the early 1970s, visiting surfers have had rocks thrown at them as they descended the Lunada cliffside trail and come back out of the water to find their car windows smashed and their tires punctured—the work of local surfers, sons of millionaires, determined to preserve their liberation from outsiders.”

If Spencer and Reid had not filed a lawsuit, these incidents would have remained hidden. And Spencer’s lawsuit only asks the city to “undertake to keep the beach open to everyone, put up a few signs, maybe a few benches.”

But…

Could Spencer also not have found a more welcoming surf spot near his Los Angeles home?

Some may find his actions too extreme. We used to just pack our trauma into a country song, but now we’re in therapy and in the arms of lawyers.

“Show the court on this doll where the city offended you.”

Let’s see where it all goes.

For now, the lesson might be to just stay away from grown men playing sand forts.

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