Police released photos of the chaos in Southern California, showing fireworks exploding close to the ground in a large group of people.
Throughout the day, July 4th celebrations drew thousands of visitors to Newport Beach, and late in the evening, the police department says social media posts drew a large influx of young people to the Newport Pier area within a short period of time.
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Newport Beach police say when the large number of juveniles and young adults swarmed the area, things quickly spiraled out of control -- with fireworks, blocked roads, fights and a Pavilions grocery store looted.
Police say some people launched fireworks into crowds and directly at police officers. One officer was reportedly hit by a mortar.
"Following an unlawful assembly declaration, more than 350 officers from the Newport Beach Police Department and 17 regional law enforcement agencies worked together to clear the area, disperse the crowd, restore emergency access and protect residents and visitors," the police department wrote in a press release.
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During the same period of midnight July 3 through 6 a.m. July 5 in 2025, officers in Newport Beach reportedly arrested only 60 people, compared to the 402 who were arrested this year.
Approximately 200 of the people who were arrested this weekend remained near 28th Street after repeatedly refusing lawful dispersal orders, according to police.