EDITORIAL:

While you may be watching hamburgers sizzle on the grill or the patriotic parade down Main Street, there is one group in Surf City that will be watching a different scene.

We’re talking about the Huntington Beach Police Department. All 232 members of the force will be on duty on the Fourth to ensure residents and visitors have a safe Independence Day.

The Independent has said it before, and we’ll say it again: Praise is due to a department that has taken much-needed measures to squelch the violence of years past.

After the riots of the mid-90s that resulted in torched sofas, overturned bus benches and many arrests, the department has worked hard to ensure one message is sent loud and clear: If you’re looking for trouble, stay out of Huntington Beach.

In 1995, 21-year-old Christopher Albert was shot and killed during the chaos. In 1996, police arrested more than 300 for a variety of violations, using loudspeakers to disperse crowds from a downtown stretch of Main Street.

The violence has decreased more and more each year, thanks in large part to stepped-up police efforts.

These include everything from spraying revelers with water from a truck, to arresting people who were drinking on their front lawn.

Many of these tactics were controversial at the time and are no longer used. Regardless of whether the tactics were the best way to go about enforcement, one thing is certain: Now, residents look forward to a relatively peaceful, family-oriented holiday.

While we’re on the topic of safety, make sure your pets’ tags have the most current contact information. Pets tend to become frightened and will sometimes flee when loud explosives are set off.

Those who have had too much to drink can take advantage of AAA’s Tipsy Tow service at 1-800-400-4AAA. The Auto Club will offer a free tow of up to seven miles to the caller’s residence.

For more safety tips, turn to A1.

Whether or not you agree with the law, you can be certain police will be out there enforcing it. Instead of risking police action by using illegal fireworks, try some of these fun and safe alternatives:

 Bring out the artist in your kids by having them draw their most spectacular fireworks creation.

 Hand out glowsticks as a non-toxic substitute for sparklers.

 Try checking out one of the many local holiday events, listed on B1.

And of course, have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.