Items on the beach overnight

I think the TDC is removing the items once the Sherrif's Department or Code Enforcement tags it. It's my understanding that the TDC does not have the legal authority to enforce the laws so that is why beach patrol and code enforcement has to tag them.

I thought that might be an issue. So there is no way that someone on parole could be deputized to clean the beach. Do you think Code Enforcement could hire some seasonal help specifically for this purpose? Or, what if they contract out with a few people to collect everything, and in return, the people doing the work could keep and sell all that they collect every morning. I see problems in that scenerio, too. Such as the collectors collecting only the good and sellable stuff.

The whole tagging thing might stand a chance of working IF 1) the manpower to enforce was great enough and 2) if the tags were unremovable.

Easy way to see if they collecting everything, or just the good stuff - look down the beach! If there is anything but sand..............

Separating the sellers from the collectors would also be a good idea to avoid a conflict of interest.

Easy way to see if they collecting everything, or just the good stuff - look down the beach! If there is anything but sand..............

Separating the sellers from the collectors would also be a good idea to avoid a conflict of interest.

So you mean the County would have to hire a supervisor, too? :funn: I want that job. TDC, are you listening?

Good idea on separating the sellers from the collectors. I'm thinking that the County would have to write new laws in order to sell the items, so I doubt that would be likely to happen anyway. I can see people writing their names on their stuff, then seeing them in a store and walking out the door with "their" items, not paying -- talk about upsetting tourists.

So you mean the County would have to hire a supervisor, too? :funn: I want that job. TDC, are you listening?

Good idea on separating the sellers from the collectors. I'm thinking that the County would have to write new laws in order to sell the items, so I doubt that would be likely to happen anyway. I can see people writing their names on their stuff, then seeing them in a store and walking out the door with "their" items, not paying -- talk about upsetting tourists.

Now that's what I was waiting for... SJ as a County employee.

Would you really want the abuse from the public when they come outside and dog cuss you about taking their stuff? Even worse would be when it was a house that may not be a rental and then you would be taking something from someone who lives there. Tagging stuff is easy, getting it off the beach without getting shot is the trick.

I believe this might be the WORST job in County Government

Now that's what I was waiting for... SJ as a County employee.

Would you really want the abuse from the public when they come outside and dog cuss you about taking their stuff? Even worse would be when it was a house that may not be a rental and then you would be taking something from someone who lives there. Tagging stuff is easy, getting it off the beach without getting shot is the trick.

I believe this might be the WORST job in County Government

"Talk to the hand, because I'm not listening."


I would take that job right after running for the office of Walton County Commissioner.

"Talk to the hand, because I'm not listening."


I would take that job right after running for the office of Walton County Commissioner.

That's what I thought . Let me know when you're running and I will run as your vice-commissioner.

That's what I thought . Let me know when you're running and I will run as your vice-commissioner.

I wonder if Kurt would want to be our Admin-Assistant.

I wonder if Kurt would want to be our Admin-Assistant.

I don't know..... We may have to make him an Executive Assistant instead.

Lazy? Maybe.
Arrogant and self centered? Absolutely!!!!

So that's where you been! Your a chair dude. Thanks for doin' the right thang for the turtles, TNJed! Maybe others will follow your cue.

10-12 hour days of sweat, sand and sun do keep the keyboard at bay. Just wait til the off season. I'll be back with a vengeance! This summer has been great though, can't complain. I've been trying to figure out a way to strap my chairs onto the turtles so they can help me move them, but those suckers are slippery! Just kidding. They really just have a poor work ethic.

Jed, I feel for you and I see it as an ongoing battle for you guys. It would be nice if you were authorized to hire an extra guy just to help enforce the area you service. But that would open a whole other can of worms for you. My guess is it will come down to personal relationships between you and someone in the county who you can give a call to on a periodic basis to come and clear your area. In between times you and your coworkers and everyone else you can enlist will need to get the word out. Once again the rental agencies will be a big ally for you and can help educate and market for you.

Some sage advice there. Too right about opening a can of worms with trying to be a traffic cop on the beach. The rental agencies will be very key in advising their renters to the beach policies. Though, they have been known to be simple "yes men" or deliver out of date or incorrect info such as, "oh yes, chair and umbrella rentals are included with your condo/house." Being the fall-guy and bearer of bad news on the beach isn't fun for me. Though I do get a thrill from telling the renters to call their agency back and set them straight.

Mermaid, TNJed, I hear what you are saying. I think that part of my simple minded confusion comes from what Jed said about private homes versus condo sites. Many times we have been at a private home and the chairs and umbrellas were left out over night. At the condos, they were (Or are ) not being left out.

Contracted condos and HOA usually ask us to clear their beaches each night and if we want to stay in their good graces then we abide with a smile. Hey, "The Dude abides." Right? For the most part, these beaches are usually great to service anyway because the same powers that be keep their owners and guests in line as well in terms of keeping "their" beaches clear at night.

You're right about private homes being confusing. This falls under the whole private vs public beach debacle. Home owners and renters feel they should be able to leave what they want out at night but the county makes the rules. This is part of the problem. If people see stuff left out, unaware it's private property, then they understandably feel they can leave theirs out as well. Be it at a public access or another's property. Guests don't understand the invisible property lines. They see the water, tents left out overnight and figure, "me too!"

Like I said, it's gotta be all or none.

4:30-5pm is the generally accepted closing time. 9am seems a little late to me though for set-up. My feet hit the sand around 7am every morning and sometimes earlier depending on my work load. By the time I finish my morning set-up, it can be close to 8:30am. Perhaps you were just on the end of someone's morning duties, but you shouldn't have been first on the afternoon close. I can't speak for them though.

The reverse is true as well. If we start clearing at 5pm, sometimes we don't finish until 7pm. Then it's home to shower, eat, relax for an hour or two then bedtime because 6 am comes around quicker than you'd like. I'm lucky because I live in Seagrove. Many of the beach employees must drive an hour or more just to get here and another hour to get back home in the evening. Those boys works their tails off. That is, if you can find some that will actually show up each day. Lord, please build some affordable housing/apartments so the service industry can actually offer suitable accommodations for their workforce. Or, for that matter, actually have a workforce.

Again, not complaining, but behind the scenes there is A LOT of labor that goes into what we do and trying to negotiate half enforced rules only makes it harder.

Surfs up! See ya on the beach! ;-)

KINGDOM LAW RULES!!! wind or wave could just blow that sheeet right away...

I bet Goodwill Industries would be willing to send a large truck up and down the beach every day collecting.

I like the 'house divided' touch of Auburn and Alabama crap hanging from the frame...along with that fake frilly thatch stuff and oversized fishing lures

It ain't called the Redneck Riviera for nothin'!

Last year, while staying at Cottages of Camp Creek (fabulous, by the way), we rented an umbrella with two chairs, for set up each day, and brought our own umbrellas and chairs too daily. One afternoon, sudden thunderstorm came up...obviously no way we would stay at the beach. Closed the "rented" umbrella, loaded up the other umbrellas and chairs in the provided "beach cart", and left it under the beach access steps, so we could get out of dodge from the storm. Came back one hour later. The rental unit's umbrella and a chair were no longer there. Interestingly, our daughter's "beach hammock" was not taken. We replaced the "stolen" items for our owner. Go figure. We have stayed from Destin east for 13 years, and occasionally have beach set ups provided, or we rent same, or several times we have brought our beach "awning" when we have a larger group. We ALWAYS take it down at night, and replace in the ams (even when renting with a private home on the beach). We bring our coolers, and other paraphernalia, and ALWAYS pick up our trash (as well as that of others). When in the Panhandle in the summer, we pay attention to the sun, and thus, the umbrellas and awnings....We set up "camp" mid-morning, and the last of us leaves at sunset, always taking our "things". We recognize that the beach is not "ours", but like being able to come and go during the day as food and nature calls! We're coming back in two weeks, and I look forward to vegging on the beach, reading, enjoying family company, in the shade, with the visual and auditory beauty surrounding....PLEASE don't tell me I need to take my stuff with me when I go to pee or eat lunch!

Last year, while staying at Cottages of Camp Creek (fabulous, by the way), we rented an umbrella with two chairs, for set up each day, and brought our own umbrellas and chairs too daily. One afternoon, sudden thunderstorm came up...obviously no way we would stay at the beach. Closed the "rented" umbrella, loaded up the other umbrellas and chairs in the provided "beach cart", and left it under the beach access steps, so we could get out of dodge from the storm. Came back one hour later. The rental unit's umbrella and a chair were no longer there. Interestingly, our daughter's "beach hammock" was not taken. We replaced the "stolen" items for our owner. Go figure. We have stayed from Destin east for 13 years, and occasionally have beach set ups provided, or we rent same, or several times we have brought our beach "awning" when we have a larger group. We ALWAYS take it down at night, and replace in the ams (even when renting with a private home on the beach). We bring our coolers, and other paraphernalia, and ALWAYS pick up our trash (as well as that of others). When in the Panhandle in the summer, we pay attention to the sun, and thus, the umbrellas and awnings....We set up "camp" mid-morning, and the last of us leaves at sunset, always taking our "things". We recognize that the beach is not "ours", but like being able to come and go during the day as food and nature calls! We're coming back in two weeks, and I look forward to vegging on the beach, reading, enjoying family company, in the shade, with the visual and auditory beauty surrounding....PLEASE don't tell me I need to take my stuff with me when I go to pee or eat lunch!

We love visitors like you and wish more were like you!

Our beef is with those who leave their tents unoccupied for hours, days, indefinitely.........causing unsightly trash and trouble for others and nature's critters.

It is not allowed to leave items on any beach overnite, but many do. That is the rule we are pushing to enforce.

TNJed is right, chair dudes work theirs off 7 days. Tough way to make a living. It looks good at a casual glance, but it is hard work.

We have used several different chair dudes depending on the location and all are grayt!!

Couple this problem with the traffic issue and maybe it makes sense to add a negative incentive for folks to come down. I know this is bordering on anarchy, but maybe a beach occupancy tax, beach access fee or something like that to limit the number of people there. At the rate things are going, this place will be over run in 5 to 10 years.

Tonights final score-
Idiots who leave tents pitched after sunset-0
Skunkape-2

Booyah!

Tonights final score-
Idiots who leave tents pitched after sunset-0
Skunkape-2

Booyah!

Go Skunky!!!!!

Tonights final score-
Idiots who leave tents pitched after sunset-0
Skunkape-2

Booyah!

YAY!!! I would so be there with you. I can't imagine anything more funn than this.

Tonights final score-
Idiots who leave tents pitched after sunset-0
Skunkape-2

Booyah!

Skunky, I need a few beach chairs for my renters. Can you get some for me?

Skunky, I need a few beach chairs for my renters. Can you get some for me?

Like shooting fish in a barrel. Might they also need kites, skim boards, hats, tents, snorkels, masks, shovels, capri-sun, buckets, bottled water or balls as well? I can't bring them deep holes, but I can steer them toward a few if they can't enjoy the beach without having a crater in close proximity:angry:

Tonights final score-
Idiots who leave tents pitched after sunset-0
Skunkape-2

Booyah!

I love it! Hmmmmmmm.....I could use another big cooler with wheels on it! Why won't they leave one of those motorized rolling coolers?

Seriously, why cant the TDC get the word out better? Can we not post signs at the beach access'? I have thought about printing out flyers about the turtles and the reasons NOT to leave your crap on the beach and each evening strolling my part of the beach and attaching them to peoples junk. Could this help?

TNJed is right, chair dudes work theirs off 7 days. Tough way to make a living. It looks good at a casual glance, but it is hard work.

We have used several different chair dudes depending on the location and all are grayt!!

Couple this problem with the traffic issue and maybe it makes sense to add a negative incentive for folks to come down. I know this is bordering on anarchy, but maybe a beach occupancy tax, beach access fee or something like that to limit the number of people there. At the rate things are going, this place will be over run in 5 to 10 years.

Might be something to think about...I heard the official TDC "heads in beds" count for the 4th of July holiday was 200,000 people

Tonights final score-
Idiots who leave tents pitched after sunset-0
Skunkape-2

Booyah!

You go, boy!

I'm driving down on 8/26. There won't be any renters in our neighborhood the weekend before Labor Day weekend (never are). So anything left at our private beach walkover (paid for by the 7 owners in our neighborhood)is definitely abandoned by renters. I'm gonna clean up the beach, toss the broken stuff, and confiscate the rest for next summer's renters.

A tax or fee is not the way to limit the ever increasing numbers of people. Lobbying your county commissioners to stop approving dense projects - some more than the highest allowed density anywhere in the county - is!

A fee or tag on Joe Renter is spitting on a forest fire compared to things like the recently approved beach club megacomplex replacing the seagrove villas.