From the very early days of punk’s presence at the Cuckoo’s Nest, punks and the police came into conflict in and around the Cuckoo’s Nest. When the police determined that the Cuckoo’s Nest could not or would not pacify its punk audience, the police concocted a plan to regulate and ultimately eliminate the punk threat to the suburban peace, which was carried out by “The Costa Mesa Police Department Special Task Force” or the “Cuckoo’s Nest Special Enforcement.” This special task force was created as a direct response to grievances lodged by local business owners and also complaints made by parents whose children were subjected to delinquency proceedings as a result of arrests around the Cuckoo’s Nest. Continue reading “The police mobilize against the Cuckoo’s Nest’s punk audience”
Month: October 2016
Part III
Source Documents for Part II – More on the Torched Van
“Undetermined and suspicious,” according to Fire Protection Analyst Tom MacDuff.
Source Documents for Part II – Pictures of the Torched Van
Despite their best efforts, the police could never pin this on the punks.
Source Documents for Part II – Police-solicited Opinions from Local Business Owners (February 10, 1981)
One of the best documents showing the local business owners’ enmity towards the Cuckoo’s Nest and punk.
Source Documents for Part II – January 28, 1981 business owner letter to City Manager
Source Documents for Part II – Cuckoo’s Nest September 19, 1980 Response
Source Documents for Part II – August 19, 1980 Letter from the City Attorney
This August 19, 1980 correspondence from the City Attorney to the Cuckoo’s Nest reflects the increasingly tough, aggressive posture the City assumed. Continue reading “Source Documents for Part II – August 19, 1980 Letter from the City Attorney”
Source Documents for Part II – May 19, 1980 Letters from the City Attorney
Source Documents for Part II – March 31, 1980 Petition
Here is the March 30, 1980 petition by the local business owners. This petition was submitted to the City Attorney’s Office. Continue reading “Source Documents for Part II – March 31, 1980 Petition”