Items on the beach overnight

[beachmouse]

Is the walkover a public or private walkover?

If it's a public walkover, I'd call anything left overnight there abandoned property.

 

[BlueMtnBeachVagrant]

BMBV, out of curiosity, what would you think about a big inflatable jumping platform which was tied to State Park "no tresspassing" and "keep off the dunes" signs?

Another subject?

I was wrong!!! Yes I was indeed. SLAP!!! as the hand goes across my my face!!!

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/FAQRemoveItOrLoseIt.pdf

It is posted. Thank you TDC !!! Lingering question...will this be posted at the accesses?

 

[BeachSiO2]

All joking aside, if I were the owner of a kayak that was chained to a walkover, well away from the main beach, I would be REALLY PISSED if 2 days later (instead of 24 hours) I decided to go back to the beach and find my kayak gone.

If TDC is removing these items with no "NOTICE" of this policy posted at the walkovers, I would think they could be held liable for "theft" of private property. IF not, then they should be accused of using VERY POOR judgement.... somewhat negates the emerald coast beach advertising I've been seeing on Fox News lately.

I understand the tent city thingy and other beach junk left in the MIDDLE of the beach, but one's (relatively expensive) kayak chained to a walkover is another matter. Don't bother trying to convince me otherwise.

This is my pet peeve with TDC... all these stinkin' rules, yet they pick and choose what they post at the accesses (including the private property issue, BTW). Then we all wonder why tourists get upset when they "break the law" without even knowing they did.

For that matter, did TDC ever post the "remove it or lose it" on the TDC web site? Try it: http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com
Then search for "rules" or "policy" or "remove". Nothing.

Like I said, I don't know what the policy is with kayaks so if someone loses one they should probably contact the TDC.

However, do you think the TDC chose to implement this program? This is a COUNTY ordinance, that the COUNTY decided to enforce, using the SHERRIF's DEPARTMENT. The TDC's only role as I understand it is to get the stuff off the beach, that they mark. The TDC has no authority to hand-pick anything as they are the last part of this system, not the first. Like I said earlier, I would not want to be the one implementing this program because typically "S$^t" rolls down hill and in this case it's the guys taking things off the beach. The access rules are decided by the COUNTY and SHERRIF'S Department also BTW, it's just another case of the TDC's role is to try and get the information out.

Finally, regarding something chained to a public structure. Are you seriously defending taking something down to the beach and chaining it to a PUBLIC structure? How about a little personal responsibility here. Are people entitled to do whatever they want just because it's a public structure. My understanding is that this is only occurring at the County access points not private strutcures. So, if a homeowner is chaining something to their property or if it is under their walkover it is left alone, but I think it is very reasonable to not allow public access points as storage areas.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Is the walkover a public or private walkover?

If it's a public walkover, I'd call anything left overnight there abandoned property.

That's my feeling also. I do not believe I have the right to leave my personal belongings overnight away from my property and expect it to be there when I get back. All of our visitors come from places where there are public parks and I would not believe for a minute that they would leave their things unattended in Jackson Square in New Orleans for example, and expect it to be there when they got back. This requires a little personal responsibility I understand, but if we don't require it with ramifications then it will never happen.

 

[Smiling JOe]

 

[BeachSiO2]

Per STATE PARK request, the County does NOT clean the state park beaches. You may want to let them know where you saw it as I don't know if it will be removed with the current program.

 

[Miss Kitty]

Holy Sheet! That thing is huge! Does it belong to the blue tent train folks? I was holing for a pic of that tent city...got one?

 

[Smiling JOe]

Holy Sheet! That thing is huge! Does it belong to the blue tent train folks? I was holing for a pic of that tent city...got one?

I doubt it belongs to those people. I'll get the construction people with the tent city to smile big and purty for the camera, today.

 

[BlueMtnBeachVagrant]

BeachSiO2,
I think you missed my main point that I had underlined:
".. all these stinkin' rules, yet they pick and choose what they post at the accesses (including the private property issue, BTW)."

The last I heard, our crime rate is much lower than New Orleans. So yes, I would expect my kayak to still be there when I got back the next day regardless of what it was chained to IF I had no knowledge of the "Remove It or Lose It" initiative.

So going back to the meat of the matter, has anyone seen these rules posted at the public accesses? How is the "public" made truly aware of this new, not so obvious rule?

 

[Smiling JOe]

So going back to the meat of the matter, has anyone seen these rules posted at the public accesses? How is the "public" made truly aware of this new, not so obvious rule?

I think someone mentioned that the rule was pointed out to the homeowners in one sub-division, and they were asked to pass along the info to renters. I think that adding more signs regarding basic rules like this are pointless and will do nothing more than add clutter to the scenery, as most people walk right past the signs without reading any of them.

Some warning tags placed on the items might draw awareness, but I doubt it. Too much work and too many beaches, and not enough people to enforce on a daily basis. Believe me. It will take no more than one season to get the word out if the County would just start by collecting the crap today.

My second choice of enforcement would be to charge fines. I don't know what amounts -- $50 per item left?