Tourist dog passes??

[tsutcli]

Thank God but are they going to enforce the Beach Activities Ordinance? If they vote on it and it becomes law then they should enforce it as well! Then why take up all this time with it.

 

[miznotebook]

Almost all the citizens addressing the commissioners really pushed for enforcement of the ordinance, and Commissioners Comander echoed that by saying that the county has to do something to increase code enforcement, including finding the funds to beef up the county and TDC's code enforcement. The TDC has now added another code enforcement officer to enforce regulations on the beach.
The Beach Activities Ordinance has been law for about five years, and the rules for dogs on the beach go back even further. The Beach Activities Ordinance is being revised now to encompass regulations for conduct, vending, etc., on the beaches in one place in the code.
Residents have been saying that the code provisions for the beach are not enforced, and that is understandable since they see people breaking the rules and not being held accountable. However, to say it is not enforced may give a false impression. People are being charged with violations of the dog on the beach, glass on the beach rules, etc. You can see this in county court records. Also, during the beach season the TDC beach ambassador advises beachgoers about these ordinances. So, while I think everyone agrees that enforcement leaves a lot to be desired, it is not like these ordinances just go on the book and get forgotten.
OK, I'm sure someone will think I am being too positive and want to argue with me now.

 

[Kurt]

Almost all the citizens addressing the commissioners really pushed for enforcement of the ordinance, and Commissioners Comander echoed that by saying that the county has to do something to increase code enforcement, including finding the funds to beef up the county and TDC's code enforcement. The TDC has now added another code enforcement officer to enforce regulations on the beach.
The Beach Activities Ordinance has been law for about five years, and the rules for dogs on the beach go back even further. The Beach Activities Ordinance is being revised now to encompass regulations for conduct, vending, etc., on the beaches in one place in the code.
Residents have been saying that the code provisions for the beach are not enforced, and that is understandable since they see people breaking the rules and not being held accountable. However, to say it is not enforced may give a false impression. People are being charged with violations of the dog on the beach, glass on the beach rules, etc. You can see this in county court records. Also, during the beach season the TDC beach ambassador advises beachgoers about these ordinances. So, while I think everyone agrees that enforcement leaves a lot to be desired, it is not like these ordinances just go on the book and get forgotten.
OK, I'm sure someone will think I am being too positive and want to argue with me now.

Thank you for the great updates!

 

[Bob Wells]

Almost all the citizens addressing the commissioners really pushed for enforcement of the ordinance, and Commissioners Comander echoed that by saying that the county has to do something to increase code enforcement, including finding the funds to beef up the county and TDC's code enforcement. The TDC has now added another code enforcement officer to enforce regulations on the beach.
The Beach Activities Ordinance has been law for about five years, and the rules for dogs on the beach go back even further. The Beach Activities Ordinance is being revised now to encompass regulations for conduct, vending, etc., on the beaches in one place in the code.
Residents have been saying that the code provisions for the beach are not enforced, and that is understandable since they see people breaking the rules and not being held accountable. However, to say it is not enforced may give a false impression. People are being charged with violations of the dog on the beach, glass on the beach rules, etc. You can see this in county court records. Also, during the beach season the TDC beach ambassador advises beachgoers about these ordinances. So, while I think everyone agrees that enforcement leaves a lot to be desired, it is not like these ordinances just go on the book and get forgotten.
OK, I'm sure someone will think I am being too positive and want to argue with me now.

Can you give us how many tickets for dogs on the beach were written in 2012? I think perception is it is not enforced, I know I feel this way. I would also be interested to know who is enforcing the laws, ie code enforcement or WCSO.
Thanks

 

[Jdarg]

I have only known one person to get a dog ticket, and he was a local. I have talked to plenty of visitors who just received a warning, my brother included.

The only other person I have known to be cited for anything is Jason Aldean.

 

[Zebraspots]

I have never seen anyone get a ticket.

Have seen hundreds of violations and a lot of warnings, but never a ticket.

 

[miznotebook]

Can you give us how many tickets for dogs on the beach were written in 2012? I think perception is it is not enforced, I know I feel this way. I would also be interested to know who is enforcing the laws, ie code enforcement or WCSO.
Thanks

Not sure how many but I will try to find out. I believe it is both code enforcement and the WCSO.

 

[willymac]

I think being able to have your dogs on the beach is amazing, as I have been on every beach in the country and most allow no dogs. That is why I chose to live here the problem is people who just don't get it about being responsible pet owners. I think that if they let non residents pay a hefty charge and charge residents a reasonable amount enough money to help the infrastructure it would help the tax base for our beautiful beach. They also should have strict rules that are enforced and the revenue from the fines would help with all the money the tourist and others cost SRB. ie If you are for or against medical marijuana the fact is it cuts the working class taxes. The average amount for this state in sales tax only is 20.0000, per year. So if tourist want to bring their dogs let them pay for it.

 

[miznotebook]

The commissioners decided not to include a provision for tourists to get beach dog permits in the Beach Activities Ordinance. What will probably be the final hearing on the revised ordinance is scheduled for the 9 a.m. Jan. 22 county commission meeting at the courthouse in DeFuniak.
I got some figures on notices of violation and citations issued in connection with beach violations.
Between Feb. and Nov. of 2012, county code enforcement issued 56 notices of violation for dogs on the beach and 88 for glass on the beach. The Walton County Sheriff's Office issued four citations for dogs on the beach and 109 for glass on the beach in 2012. Deputies have discretion whether to issue a citation or have the person correct the violation without citing them (i.e. removing the dog or glass container), and the citation figures do not reflect those cases. Code officers may also work with a person to get the violation corrected without issuing a notice of violation. I was told by code enforcement that 3,100 contacts were made last year with beachgoers regarding violations of the beach regulations.
The TDC recently added an additional code enforcement officer, Harold Taunton, Jr., to help the other beach officer, Jeff McVay, enforce the beach regulations. Both can be reached by phone if you see a problem or need assistance on the beach. (Jeff McVay 428-0089; Harold Taunton, Jr., 428-7814). The sheriff's office's number is 892-8186.

 

[Bob Wells]

The commissioners decided not to include a provision for tourists to get beach dog permits in the Beach Activities Ordinance. What will probably be the final hearing on the revised ordinance is scheduled for the 9 a.m. Jan. 22 county commission meeting at the courthouse in DeFuniak.
I got some figures on notices of violation and citations issued in connection with beach violations.
Between Feb. and Nov. of 2012, county code enforcement issued 56 notices of violation for dogs on the beach and 88 for glass on the beach. The Walton County Sheriff's Office issued four citations for dogs on the beach and 109 for glass on the beach in 2012. Deputies have discretion whether to issue a citation or have the person correct the violation without citing them (i.e. removing the dog or glass container), and the citation figures do not reflect those cases. Code officers may also work with a person to get the violation corrected without issuing a notice of violation. I was told by code enforcement that 3,100 contacts were made last year with beachgoers regarding violations of the beach regulations.
The TDC recently added an additional code enforcement officer, Harold Taunton, Jr., to help the other beach officer, Jeff McVay, enforce the beach regulations. Both can be reached by phone if you see a problem or need assistance on the beach. (Jeff McVay 428-0089; Harold Taunton, Jr., 428-7814). The sheriff's office's number is 892-8186.

Thanks for the info.