After Marine Attack, San Clemente Set To Close Beaches Earlier, Increase Security

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — San Clemente beaches will soon close at 10 p.m., two hours earlier than the original closing time, after City Council members voted on an emergency action during their Tuesday meeting.

The action officially goes into effect Wednesday night but won't be enforced until new signs are posted, San Clemente City Manager Andy Hall told the Orange County Register.

The vote comes a little over a week after the May 26 assault of three U.S. Marines near the San Clemente Pier by a group of at least 20 teens.

A minute-long video which has circulated online captured the brawl. In the video, Marines are seen on the ground trying to shield themselves from the attack as their assaulters punch and kick them.

RELATED: Viral Video Shows Marines Beaten By Teens In South OC

The incident led to the arrest of five teenagers just a few days later, authorities said.

The emergency action also deals with ongoing public safety concerns in the North Beach and downtown areas that have been addressed by the community.

“Our municipal code allows the city manager to close the beaches for safety reasons,” Hall told the OC Register. “With what’s happened and the fear of retaliation on what happened to the Marines, we’ve closed the beaches at 10 p.m.”

RELATED: Teens Who Beat Up Marines Memorial Day Weekend Arrested, Police Say

The new signage is expected to be posted around San Clemente beaches by June 21.

City officials also plan on hiring private security crews to target beach issues while they wait on four more Orange County Sheriff's Deputies to join San Clemente's patrol.