PVE police meets with Surfrider Foundation
By
Kevin Cody
Easy Reader
Publish Date: 1/17/02
An injunction to prohibit the Dirty Underwear Gang from gathering at Indicators will be sought by an attorney who represents a surfer allegedly assaulted at the secluded Palos Verdes Estates surf spot last Friday.
Hermosa Beach surfer Tim Banas has alleged he was assaulted by a group of Palos Verdes surfers, who call themselves the Dirty Underwear Gang, after he ignored their demand that he not surf in the area. During the alleged assault, Banas suffered a broken tooth and his right knee was injured. The painting contractor underwent reconstructive surgery on the knee last year. Banas' 19-year-old son Tom stopped the alleged assault by hitting one of the alleged assailants in the head with a rock.
Members of the Dirty Underwear Gang told police that the Banas' started the fight. No arrests have been made as a result of the incident.
Palos Verdes Estates Police Chief Timm Browne said that he or a representative of his department will address the issue of localism in Palos Verdes at a meeting of the Surfrider Foundation on February 21. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the community room at the Manhattan Village Mall.
Browne said his department is continuing its ongoing efforts to stem localism. Two police all-terrain vehicles patrolled the beaches at Indicators and Bluff's Cove over the weekend. Browne said the patrols were part of his department's effort to maintain a high police profile on the beaches.
Torrance attorney Mike Sisson, who represents Banas, said he intends to ask the courts for an injunction against the Dirty Underwear Gang under the California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act.
In 1996 the city of Redondo Beach utilized the act to secure an injunction that prohibited 28 members of the North Side Redondo Gang from congregating at Perry Park. Violation of the injunction carried a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn recently obtained injunctions to ban gangs from city of Los Angeles parks.
"This is not a new problem in Palos Verdes. Criminal conduct by local surfers has been going on for years," Sisson said.
In 1996 Sisson represented professional surfer Hagen Kelley and several of his friends, who were allegedly assaulted by members of the "Bay Boys" when they attempted to surf at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates. Following the alleged assault a member of the Bay Boys agreed to pay Sisson's clients $15,000. In addition, the city of Palos Verdes Estates agreed to issue a statement condemning localism and urging victims to report assaults to the police department.
Banas's attorney, Mike Sisson can be reached at meldcan@aol.com or (310) 719-8894.
