By Amelia Ward
Assistant Opinion editor
In the typically low-crime community of Manhattan Beach, where the closest thing to a gang might be moms heading to pilates, a group of around 20 to 50 students from Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) and Mira Costa’s freshman class claim to have made it out of the sand section. They’ve dubbed themselves the “MB Goons,” with female counterparts calling themselves the “Goonettes.” Their actions have sent shockwaves through the South Bay area, with reports from both law enforcement and concerned parents deeming accountability necessary.
The unprecedented challenges that this group has created places law enforcement and school administration in a difficult position, as investigations into the group involve minors, and their activities predominantly take place off-campus. Yet, the number of alleged incidents, including assault, drug dealing, theft, and intimidation, demands action and reinforces the urgency of addressing this serious matter.
The “MB Goons” have made their presence apparent in the South Bay. Groups of the members are known to cruise on e-bikes, conceal their identities with ski masks, and carry pocket knives. According to an anonymous parent of an alleged member, the origins of this group trace back to 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown, initially starting as a cluster of friends congregating in Metlox. Over time, the group expanded in size and escalated its behavior, resorting to assaulting peers, including those from rivaling middle schools.
According to a report published in the Easy Reader, alleged members of the group instigated an attack on the Hermosa Beach Strand, targeting other teenagers from Redondo Beach. It took the intervention of a passerby to halt the violence, forcing both parties to disperse. Later the same evening, police reports emerged of another altercation involving these two groups, this time in the upper levels of the 12th Street parking garage in Hermosa, resulting in hospitalization from a head injury due to skateboard hitting for the Redondo Beach middle schooler. This incident further underscores the severity of the situation.
In response to these escalating events, Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) released a statement in collaboration with Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD), highlighting the need for student accountability and a swift response from administration and police. In MBPD’s statement, Chief of Police Rachel Johnson expressed the police department’s commitment to investigating all crimes related to the group of students, and their intent to continue to arrest those responsible for criminal acts, regardless of age. She further encouraged the community to refrain from inundating them with videos and emails that don’t directly involve their children to maintain a streamlined investigative process. Costa Principal Dr. Karina Gerger explained the administration’s collaboration with MBPD, including the employment of two school resource officers (SROs) to monitor students through video surveillance systems and anonymous incident reporting on the Sprigeo app. When approached by La Vista, MBPD declined to comment.
One instance documented by a parent on the neighborhood app Nextdoor includes details of an attack against her son on Oct. 9. According to the post, a group of five boys went to McDonalds after a Costa football game, when a large group of 20 alleged “Goons” surrounded them, throwing milkshakes and food at the student, resulting in a fight. The outpouring of support from concerned parents facing similar issues serves as a stark reminder of the widespread impact of this problem.
In MBUSD’s message, Gerger seeks to clarify the administration’s jurisdiction over students, affirming its responsibility for their behavior on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities, the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response becomes evident. The presence of the increasing Mira Costa administration and security teams on campus to actively supervise non-classroom areas emphasizes the need for security and safety.
Some members of the community have pointed out that not all incidents allegedly involving the “MB Goons” may necessarily amount to criminal acts. However, Gerger emphasizes that even if the actions aren’t criminal in nature, they can still have a profoundly unsettling and distressing effect on the community’s youth. MBPD has expressed empathy for this concern, acknowledging the distress caused to the younger members of the community and their families. These sentiments highlight the significance of adolescents recognizing the impact of their actions, irrespective of their intentions.
Despite multiple incidents reported to the police, these students have faced minimal consequences. The alleged incidents demand accountability and reinforce the urgency of addressing this serious matter.
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