I know many don't see the Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald so I thought I would post this article from July 12th that I found interesting. It looks like we will have more fireworks in addition to handcuffs on the beach. By the way, note that this will affect private individuals and vendors so let the funn begin..
Items left on beach to be removed
By DOTTY NIST
"Remove it or lose it," is now the rule in the evening on Walton County beaches.
To alleviate what has been identified as "a severe problem," Walton County has initiated a coordinated approach to have beaches clear of clutter in the evenings. The clutter of chairs, awnings, umbrellas, and other items on the beach has long been a complaint of South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers.
Federally-protected native sea turtles come onto the beach during their spring and fall nesting season, and their reproduction can be hampered by obstacles left on the beach in the evening. Human beachgoers can also run into or trip over these obstacles as they walk on the beach at night.
On June 28, Pat Blackshear, county planning and development services director, announced a cooperative effort between the county, the tourism council, and the sheriff's office to address the problem.
Blackshear explained that items left on the beach would be tagged and then removed after 24 hours if not taken off the beach by their owners. The policy applies both to private individuals and beach vendors, who are being notified by mail.
Walton County Sheriff's Office and Walton County Code Enforcement personnel will share patrol and tagging duties. South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) personnel will pick up tagged items once the 24-hour period has elapsed, and owners will forfeit items that are picked up.
TDC Executive Director Kriss Titus commented that, while Walton County's beaches have been honored by the Clean Beaches Council, she believes that the TDC has not been getting the message out about the importance of an uncluttered beach.
She said the TDC plans a "remove it or lose it" marketing campaign and will post information on its web page urging visitors to comply.
Replies
658
Beach Fanatic
So...
Will there be a 2nd (and ongoing) round of tagging? There's almost as much stuff at the Ramsgate and Eastern Lake walkovers today as there was before the tagging and collection last week. And not a tag in sight.
Hmmm... :scratch:
Will there be a 2nd (and ongoing) round of tagging? There's almost as much stuff at the Ramsgate and Eastern Lake walkovers today as there was before the tagging and collection last week. And not a tag in sight.
Hmmm... :scratch:
Beach Fanatic
You're playing with fire buster.;-)
Ok, I'll bite. What's the deal with Seaside? I know that they have "privilege", but.......?
Admin
Why is Seaside allowed to keep their wooden lounge chairs on the beach overnight, all year round?
Turtles can't afford to nest there.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Turtles can't afford to nest there.
Or if so, it's only during their honeymoon. Since they are now back to lay their eggs it would have had to been a good ole' fashioned Shotgun Wedding.
Beach Fanatic
So...
Will there be a 2nd (and ongoing) round of tagging? There's almost as much stuff at the Ramsgate and Eastern Lake walkovers today as there was before the tagging and collection last week. And not a tag in sight.
If Sheriff and TDC are using the same schedule as last week, tagging should have been Saturday night and pickup should have been this morning. If you walked before pickup and didn't see any tags, that's bad news. Or at least weird. Did all these new tents come on Sunday? If you walked after pickup and saw a lot of stuff left, that's bad news too. Looks like it is not working. That is sad and maddening.
It is interesting to look for fresh tire marks. Last week after tagging I saw Sheriff tire marks going right past existing tents, with no footprints and no tags. I could see where they stopped and walked over to place tags. We should start a "keeping them honest" campaign. We could carefully document where the system is not working, report that to the responsible agency. If they don't respond positively with a reasonable excuse or promise to do better, we could escalate it in some way. I think the more specific we can be and the clearer our publicity, they more likely we are to be effective.
What are the steps in observing the process?
1. Follow the sheriff ASAP after tagging. Note what is tagged and what is not. Say just before dawn on Sunday morning for zone 7.
2. Precede the TDC before pickup, say Sunday night or before dawn Monday morning.
Note if what was tagged was removed or is still there. If there is it still tagged? If it had not been tagged originally is it still there? Is there new untagged stuff?
3. Follow the TDC trucks. Not sure how many or when they all start. Think it is quite soon after dawn on Monday and there are more than one and they have different tasks. Maybe they are done by noon? Check then and see if they got all tagged items. Also check to see if they removed everything within 10 feet of each trash bag.
One idea would be to observe the actual trucks at a particular point, say at the start of their zone, to see exactly what they do or don't do and maybe approach and talk to them about it on the spot.
Are we having fun yet?
2.
Meow
Thanks caroling. You really lower my stress level, even though it is clear things are still not working efficiently.
Beach Lover
My son and daughter just returned from our condo and they said that they were walking on the beach the other night and watched a sheriff's truck pull up to a tent. They were watching to see if they put a tag on it, but no luck they said he got back in his truck and drove on...?? 
They also said that it was amazing how much trash they collected on their walks at night. Beer cans floating in the water ect.
It makes me so mad that people are not respecting mother nature.. I just want to find out were these people live and go dump crap in their front yards.
They also said that it was amazing how much trash they collected on their walks at night. Beer cans floating in the water ect.
It makes me so mad that people are not respecting mother nature.. I just want to find out were these people live and go dump crap in their front yards.
Beach Fanatic
One question from someone who doesn't have time to read all 500+ posts in this thread: Suppose someone rents a gulf front house for one week and makes arrangements with a beach service company to provide one umbrella and two chairs for the duration of their stay.
I have done this in the past and the umbrella and chairs are in place the day I arrive and stay there until we leave. They are not collected each evening and put out again each morning. Will the beach service companies now be forced to pick up and deliver each day? If so, I would think this would drive the price up dramatically and also cause serious manpower issues for these companies.
I have done this in the past and the umbrella and chairs are in place the day I arrive and stay there until we leave. They are not collected each evening and put out again each morning. Will the beach service companies now be forced to pick up and deliver each day? If so, I would think this would drive the price up dramatically and also cause serious manpower issues for these companies.
SoWal Insider
IMO this "tagging" is a bunch of crap! It is an administrative nightmare that local law enforcement shouldn't have to deal with and it's going to be the first thing to go as the county cuts back the budget due to "Sorry Charlie's" tax rollback.
Slap some signs on the beach (like the "no trespassing signs" that are springing up all over) that read, "Anything left unattended on the beach at sunset will be taken to the dump."
Somehow I don't see this situation getting any better if drastic steps aren't taken every night to clean up this mess.
.
Slap some signs on the beach (like the "no trespassing signs" that are springing up all over) that read, "Anything left unattended on the beach at sunset will be taken to the dump."
Somehow I don't see this situation getting any better if drastic steps aren't taken every night to clean up this mess.
.
SoWal Insider
IMO this "tagging" is a bunch of crap! It is an administrative nightmare that local law enforcement shouldn't have to deal with and it's going to be the first thing to go as the county cuts back the budget due to "Sorry Charlie's" tax rollback.
Slap some signs on the beach (like the "no trespassing signs" that are springing up all over) that read, "Anything left unattended on the beach at sunset will be taken to the dump."
Somehow I don't see this situation getting any better if drastic steps aren't taken every night to clean up this mess.
.
I think a more effective sign would be one with an E-bay logo and underneath a link to the TDC.
"Here is what is available from last nights haul for purchase from items left on the beach. New items auction begins at sundown. "
Edited
Meow
IMO this "tagging" is a bunch of crap! It is an administrative nightmare that local law enforcement shouldn't have to deal with and it's going to be the first thing to go as the county cuts back the budget due to "Sorry Charlie's" tax rollback.
Slap some signs on the beach (like the "no trespassing signs" that are springing up all over) that read, "Anything left unattended on the beach at sunset will be taken to the dump."
Somehow I don't see this situation getting any better if drastic steps aren't taken every night to clean up this mess.
.
I certainly agree with you SHELL, but remember..."we don't want to upset the visitors", although I know property owners are violtators as well. I'll see about someone making some stickers that say that for me when I get down there in October.
There won't be as much CRAP then, but it's a start.
Beach Fanatic
Met some people in Dune Allen on Saturday night that told me they put their beach gear under the public walkover. The next morning their stuff was gone from next to the walkover, but tents and chairs on the beach itself were just tagged. They went dumpster diving to try and find their stuff, but only found a boogie board and one chair.
Beach Fanatic
Did all these new tents come on Sunday? If you walked after pickup and saw a lot of stuff left, that's bad news too.
It is interesting to look for fresh tire marks.
This morning at 7:00 AM was the first time I've been to the beach since Friday a week ago, so I don't know when the stuff was put out or if it was tagged at some point. I didn't see any tags out there this AM.
No tire tracks, just lotsa footprints.
IMHO, any tagging/pickup cycle that overlaps Saturday is probably a dud. You don't know whether you're getting the outgoing or incoming visitors. Tag Sunday AM through Wednesday PM , remove through Friday PM.
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
I certainly agree with you SHELL, but remember..."we don't want to upset the visitors", although I know property owners are violtators as well. I'll see about someone making some stickers that say that for me when I get down there in October.
Met some people in Dune Allen on Saturday night that told me they put their beach gear under the public walkover. The next morning their stuff was gone from next to the walkover, but tents and chairs on the beach itself were just tagged. They went dumpster diving to try and find their stuff, but only found a boogie board and one chair.
Looks like they don't mind upsetting the visitors if they leave stuff under or next to the public walkovers.
Meow
Looks like they don't mind upsetting the visitors if they leave stuff under or next to the public walkovers.
Must have gotten too close to the trash can!!!
I'll take any of this news as good news! 
SoWal Expert
Visitors who get offended when asked to obey the rules aren't the ones we want around anyway!
Beach Fanatic
Suppose someone rents a gulf front house for one week and makes arrangements with a beach service company to provide one umbrella and two chairs for the duration of their stay.
I have done this in the past and the umbrella and chairs are in place the day I arrive and stay there until we leave. They are not collected each evening and put out again each morning. Will the beach service companies now be forced to pick up and deliver each day? If so, I would think this would drive the price up dramatically and also cause serious manpower issues for these companies.
If you come down again and rent umbrella and chairs, please let the forum know how it works and if it costs more. In my view, the rental company should have told you to remove beach items each night. Either that or just do daily rentals. The overnight removal rule has existed all along, only now it is being enforced. Would it be practical for the rental company to move your gear every night?
Beach Fanatic
IMO this "tagging" is a bunch of crap! It is an administrative nightmare that local law enforcement shouldn't have to deal with and it's going to be the first thing to go as the county cuts back the budget due to "Sorry Charlie's" tax rollback.
Slap some signs on the beach (like the "no trespassing signs" that are springing up all over) that read, "Anything left unattended on the beach at sunset will be taken to the dump."
Somehow I don't see this situation getting any better if drastic steps aren't taken every night to clean up this mess.
.
Agreed---It is amazing to me what people leave. I witnessed an umbrella left today that was literally blowing apart in the wind. Wonder if it will be trashed since it is already. I think a neat business idea would be a resale shop for beach gear. Who has room to take it home?
Beach Fanatic
If you come down again and rent umbrella and chairs, please let the forum know how it works and if it costs more. In my view, the rental company should have told you to remove beach items each night. Either that or just do daily rentals. The overnight removal rule has existed all along, only now it is being enforced. Would it be practical for the rental company to move your gear every night?
It's not the responsibility of someone renting chairs/umbrella to remove them each day. If they are to be removed each day it needs to be done by the company, not the renter. I'll be damned if I'll haul two 50-pound chairs/footrests and an umbrella up two flights of stairs and pay for the privledge of doing it. To suggest such is insane.
Edited
hmmmm......can't remember
Visitors who get offended when asked to obey the rules aren't the ones we want around anyway!
When do we start screening who gets to put their trashy toes in our pristine sand?
Edited
SoWal Expert
It's not the responsibility of someone renting chairs/umbrella to remove them each day. If they are to be removed each day it needs to be done by the company, not the renter. I'll be damned if I'll haul two 50-pound chairs/footrests and an umbrella up two flights of stairs and pay for the privilege of doing it. To suggest such is insane.I think it was mentioned somewhere in one of the 15 previous pages of this thread, or in the news story, that the beach vendors who leave their chairs and umbrellas on the beach, expect the rentors to remove and reset the chairs and umbrellas each day. I'm like you on that thought, JB. Why would I rent something that I could buy for less, if I am the one who has to do all the work, anyway. It sounded like an excuse to me. If I were being placed in charge of caring for the chairs overnight, I would just call the vendor up each day and order one set up each morning, not leaving me to do any of the work.
I doubt most of the vendors operate like that, but at least one is reported to do so.
Beach FanaticAuthor
When do we start screening who gets to put their trashy toes in our pristine sand?
Hey, in some other areas this isn't a problem because anything left on the beach is claimed by another visitor if it is in good shape. Maybe our quality of visitor is our problem :scratch:
hmmmm......can't remember
Hey, in some other areas this isn't a problem because anything left on the beach is claimed by another visitor if it is in good shape. Maybe our quality of visitor is our problem :scratch:I think you're on to something. (I'm not sure what, but it's something.
)Beach Fanatic
I think it was mentioned somewhere in one of the 15 previous pages of this thread, or in the news story, that the beach vendors who leave their chairs and umbrellas on the beach, expect the rentors to remove and reset the chairs and umbrellas each day. I'm like you on that thought, JB. Why would I rent something that I could buy for less, if I am the one who has to do all the work, anyway. It sounded like an excuse to me. If I were being placed in charge of caring for the chairs overnight, I would just call the vendor up each day and order one set up each morning, not leaving me to do any of the work.
I doubt most of the vendors operate like that, but at least one is reported to do so.
Agree. It makes zero sense. Under the scenario you describe, where exactly is the renter supposed to move the stuff to? The big resorts have those white boxes on the beach where they store the stuff each evening. Those old-school wooden chairs the vendors use are HEAVY. I sure as hell am not going to move them and kill my beer buzz every evening (not to mention throwing out my back)
Problem is, renting by the day is MUCH more expensive than renting by the week. So what is one to do?
Beach Fanatic
I was in Seagrove 2 weeks ago. We stayed in Pineapple Palace which is right across the street from Cowgirl Kitchen. On the beach there were 3 different chair venders. Not one removed their set ups everyday. In fact, 1 vendor set up chairs and umbrella in "hopes" that someone would rent them - and left them there the whole week. Finally on Tuesday (we got there Sat.) I asked the vendor if he could move ONE set so that we could be closer to our board walk. He seemed very put out. (I know it's hot and those things are heavy) We were also told NOT to move the umbrellas for safety reasons. They are "installed" in the sand with a drill so that they are safe. They didn't want us moving them and taking them down because we would not be able to "secure" them in the sand like they could. If one of the rental umbrellas goes flying down the beach in the wind and hits someone - he said they could be liable for injuries. Sorry for the ramble, I guess my point is, until the rental companies and the larger condo units that offer this service follows the rules, I think it will be hard to get visitors who rent private homes to do so.
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