Marina Del Rey Parking Lot Party Packed With People

MARINA DEL REY, CA — A large group of people partied in a Marina del Rey parking lot Friday night, despite calls from public health officials and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti to cancel parties during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a video shared by TMZ, people are packed closely together outside at a parking lot, many without face masks or coverings.

The dance party apparently happened at Dock 52, a boating port in the marina from about 7 to 11 p.m. Friday without any apparent interruptions from law enforcement, TMZ reports.

Several large scale parties have made the news over the last week. LA officials have warned residents not to throw large parties, threatening to shut off power to locations that do host parties during the pandemic to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Department of Water and Power Friday is now authorized to shut off utilities to properties of repeat offenders who host large gatherings and parties in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that by Friday evening he would allow the DWP to shut off utilities to homes and businesses that host "egregious" gatherings amid the pandemic.

Patch reached out to deputies at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at the Marina del Rey Station for more information. Deputies were aware of the incident, which happened about six miles away from the station, but had no further information.

TMZ also reported that the Los Angeles Police Department is "pushing back" against Mayor Eric Garcetti's plan to use it in the process of shutting off utilities at homes where residents throw parties in defiance of COVID-19 orders.

The intent is reported to be to have the LAPD make the request to the city that the utilities be turned off.

"Cops don't want any more beef with citizens," TMZ.com reported. "LAPD sources tell TMZ no officer wants to shut the power off at a residence. We're told they'd rather focus on reducing real crime, and not turning off home necessities."

An LAPD spokesman declined comment on the TMZ report.

"Our sources say if the decision is left to officers' discretion ... very few will follow through with Garcetti's threat," TMZ reported.

"We're told, cops are worried about homeowners who rely on electricity to power a breathing device or food spoiling in fridges. Any of those situations would create way more tension in communities they police," TMZ reported.

"Bottom line... we're told cops will absolutely cite a homeowner for throwing an out-of-control party, but cutting someone's power is not a burden they want to bear," TMZ reported.

L.A. Partiers Skirt Garcetti's Utility Shut-Off Threat, Rage in a Lot https://t.co/XIOfYbd0iU
— TMZ (@TMZ) August 9, 2020

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

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