Newport Beach orders removal of patriotic pennants on Balboa Island

BALBOA ISLAND, NEWPORT BEACH (KABC) -- For many people who live on Balboa Island, seeing red, white and blue pennants hanging from rooftop to rooftop has become a new tradition for the Fourth of July.

The pennant practice started about three years ago when residents chipped in to string the patriotic decorations from house to house over the street.

But this year people received a letter from the city of Newport Beach ordering them to take down the flags.

City regulations prohibit such banners being displayed in public areas, and officials say someone complained to the city.

For now, residents plan to keep the decorations up and are hoping to convince the city to change the law.

Some city officials are already on their side. City Manager Dave Kiff said for now residents will be allowed to keep the decorations up through the holiday.

"I think the law is silly," Kiff said. "I do think people should have the right to celebrate the Fourth of July with whatever buntings and pennants and banners they think are appropriate."