(The following story by Lois Evezich appeared on The Orange County Register website on March 24, 2009.)
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. — Police hope to have a tighter rein on things when it’s time for the annual mooning of the Amtrak train in July.
For 30 years, crowds have gathered in front of the Mugs Away Bar on Camino Capistrano to pull down their pants and moon passengers on the train. Police agencies have always watched over the event, but last year there were so many people that it was nearly impossible to control the crowd.
About 10,000 people attended last year’s mooning, and there were traffic jams that prevented law enforcement from patrolling the event.
Wanting to get a jump on things this year, Chief of Police Services Linda Solorza is appealing to the Laguna Niguel City Council to pass an ordinance restricting parking on Camino Capistrano for that day. City police want to keep a closer watch over public drinking and curtail public urination and other misconduct.
According to Solorza, last year people in the crowd called 911 to report public nudity and overt sexual activity.
“These people were concerned for the safety of individuals who were intoxicated and could no longer care for themselves,” she said.
The ordinance will be placed on the City Council’s April 7 agenda.