Allegations flowing in against the surfer gang of Lunada Bay

Attorneys attempting to break up a surfer gang that controls a coveted stretch of coastline in Palos Verdes Estates said more alleged victims have called them in hopes of joining the effort.

“We are being contacted by lots of people -- lots of different beachgoers who have had similar experiences,” said attorney Kurt A. Franklin.

Franklin represents El Segundo police Officer Cory Spencer and other plaintiffs who are asking a federal judge to use a gang injunction to prevent members of the gang from congregating at the bay, one of the state’s most coveted surf breaks.

Additionally, the suit targets the city of Palos Verdes Estates, asking a judge to require officials to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by the surfers.

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A Palos Verdes Estates police officer watches for trouble at Lunada Bay, where local surfers have clashed with outsiders.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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A man records a small group of surf outsiders challenging the Bay Boys’ efforts to keep the surf spot to themselves at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates on Feb. 5, 2016.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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A Palos Verdes Estates police officer checks on outsider surfers Jordan and Diana Milena, left, and Cory Spencer, before they hit the waves at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates on Feb. 5, 2016.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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A group of outsiders checks the conditions early in the morning before surfing at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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A surfer with a small group of outsiders challenging the Bay Boys rides a wave at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates on Feb. 5, 2016.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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A stone fort at Lunada Bay will need to be demolished or undergo a rigorous permitting process. The California Coastal Commission is cracking down on access problems at the Palos Verdes Estates surf spot.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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With police watching for trouble from the bluff top, outsider Diana Milena, 28, of Malibu, who filed a police report for harassment by the Bay Boys, stands in the locals’ hangout fort.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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A stone fort constructed by locals at Lunada Bay will need to be demolished or undergo rigorous permitting procedures, the California Coastal Commission said.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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With police watching for trouble from nearby blufftops, an outsider heads out to surf at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates on Feb. 5, 2016.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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The Coastal Commission has funds available to improve the pathways from the bluff down to shore to aid public access to Lunada Bay.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

For years, beachgoers and witnesses have accused the Bay Boys, some of whom are middle-aged, of bombarding outsiders with dirt clods, slashing their tires and assaulting them in the water -- sometimes coordinating the attacks with walkie-talkies.

Franklin said the callers allege that they have had rocks thrown at them and suffered other assaults that resulted in poor follow-up by police.

“It’s confirming the investigation we conducted before filing the suit,” Franklin said.

One of the named defendants in the case, Angelo Ferrara, who owns Ferrara’s Auto Body in Torrance, denied any involvement with the Bay Boys.

“I don’t have anything to do with this,” Ferrara said.

Police Chief Jeff Kepley declined to be interviewed about the allegations, but said in an email:”The city of Palos Verdes Estates and its police department are committed to protecting the safety of all those who live, visit, shop and recreate in the city.”

He denied allegations that his officers ignored complaints.

“Our police department takes seriously its public safety mission and has, and will continue to monitor and enforce the laws in Lunada Bay specifically and indeed everywhere in the community,” Kepley said.

Police have made no arrests.

Also at issue is a stone fort the Bay Boys built without permits at the waters edge.

“The city is in the process of considering options for addressing the patio,” City Manager Tony Dahlerbruch said.

Follow me on Twitter: @gtherolf

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