A Torrance Superior Court judge Monday continued the arraignment court date for a well-known Hermosa Beach activist who was arrested and charged last month for climbing into a parked police cruiser to Dec. 16.

Hermosa Beach Police charged Jim Lissner, 56, with tampering with a police vehicle and disobedience to officers, after police reportedly discovered him sitting in one of its police cars parked on the pier plaza in downtown Hermosa Beach Oct. 13 at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Hermosa Beach City Prosecutor Ken Meersand reviewed the case and filed the two charges the week following the incident. 

Lissner could receive the maximum sentence which is a fine not to exceed $1,000, one year in county jail or both.

“I’m not sure what happened on Monday. I didn’t appear in court but my lawyer did,” Lissner said. “The court cited me with a second misdemeanor charge, which is pretty serious, and that’s why I hired a professional to represent me. The plan is to plead not guilty and whether or not my lawyer has done this, I’m not sure.”

According to Hermosa Beach Press Information Officer Paul Wolcott, an officer patrolling the area noticed Lissner standing near the car before he opened the door and climbed inside. The arresting officer didn’t know Lissner who is recognized by most police officers and city officials.

Although Wolcott could not comment whether Lissner was drinking, he did recall that Lissner did not know where he was and could not remember his phone number or where he was born.

Lissner is known around town for his anti-alcohol efforts related to the approvals of liquor licenses and an oversaturation of bars within the city.

In 2000, Lissner received the California First Amendment Assembly Beacon Award in the Exemplary Pursuit of Open Government by a Citizen category. The assembly acknowledged Lissner on his efforts to reduce duplication costs for public records.

Lissner has negotiated duplication cost reductions with an estimated 80 police departments and county coroner’s offices.