Malibu makes it through Fourth of July with no major issues
Michele Willer-Allred, Staff Reporter
https://www.malibusurfsidenews.com/p/news-city/malibu-makes-it-through-fourth-july-no-major-issues
12:27 pm PDT July 6, 2020
Beaches reopened on Monday in Malibu following a holiday weekend described in various ways, depending on who was talking.
Malibu Volunteers on Patrol, a group that assists the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, reported on social media that the holiday weekend “was quiet due to public safety closures,” but there were several traffic collisions which resulted in minor injuries.
There were also many rescues.
On Saturday, VOP Connor Blake was instrumental in saving a 78-year-old man who was not breathing.
According to officials at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, Blake was first to arrive on scene, and begin chest compressions before the fire department arrives. After 15 minutes of CPR, the man began breathing, and he was transported to the hospital.
Malibu Search and Rescue officials said they already had a busy start to July, with nine calls for service in the first five days of the month. That follows a record 23 calls for service in June, and 32 calls in the last 35 days.
One such call was on Sunday, with Malibu SAR, Los Angeles County Fire Department and McCormick Ambulance assisting a 62-year-old bicyclist suffering from heat-related illness.
Before the start of the weekend, David Katz, team leader and public information officer for Malibu SAR, told Malibu Surfside News that the holiday weekend could be unpredictable in terms of rescues in area mountains and trails because the beaches would be closed and more people would be heading to other areas.
Other agencies were also busy.
On Saturday evening, a small brush fire that charred about one-tenth of an acre on Las Virgenes Road was quickly extinguished by county firefighters with assistance from state park rangers.
Some Malibu residents on social media said that despite beach closures, people visiting town were parking illegally, partying, not wearing masks and shooting off illegal fireworks.
Malibu resident Amber Taylor said that despite a few problems, she thought this was one of the best Fourth of July weekends in memory.
“The beaches actually looked beautiful with nobody on (them), and I’m sure it was better for the environment with less trash,” she said. “Overall, it seemed like a nice, normal summer weekend.”