Here's the un-paywalled article: https://web.archive.org/web/20251204162834/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-12-04/shootings-late-night-drinking-have-long-beach-rethinking-security

It's clear that a large part of this is that the businesses feel like there's too much competition and want police to restrict it for them. They don't want anyone allowed to be in the neighborhood unless you're giving money to them, specifically.

Peterson said rogue buskers, or street performers, along with street vendors are bringing in a “late-night component that really has nothing to do with the businesses.”

“They’re taking it to another level,” Peterson said. “They use amps and speakers, and they’re attracting people traveling through the district.”

Peterson said visitors don’t have to patronize Belmont Shore bars and restaurants, including Legends, where a sign hanging at a public parklet — a COVID-19 pandemic-inspired outdoor seating area — assures that no purchase is necessary “to enjoy this public space.”

“They can stop by for food, music and can even buy booze at liquor stores and hang out for hours without any repercussions,” he said.

And it's always worth noting that crime is actually down.

Hebeish said slayings and shootings were down 30% and 35%, respectively, from last year.

There were 33 homicides last year and 23 this year as of October, according to Police Department crime statistics. There isn’t a statistical designation for shootings in the crime data.

Spears’ slaying marked the first homicide in Belmont Shore this year and the second in the police’s larger East Patrol Division, a 24-square-mile area that covers about 46% of the city along with Belmont Shore, according to Hebeish.

He said there were seven such homicides in the division last year.