From WJHG... KUDOS to Sheriff McKeithen
It is my understanding that you can be fined or arrested.
The Bay County Commission this morning, at the urging of Sheriff Frank McKeithen, adopted an emergency ordinance allowing violators of the double red flags to be arrested.
There have been several hundred rescues and 10 drownings at Panama City Beach this year, many of them while double red flags are flying indicating the beaches are closed to swimmers.
Life Guards, Police and Rescue workers say many swimmers went right back in the water after being instructed to get out.
The County commission adopted the emergency ordinance by unanimous 4 to 0 vote. Commission Jerry Girvin was absent because of a broken leg.
The Ordinance took affect when it was adopted shortly after nine this morning.
Replies
53
Skunky
The bottom flag should be an advertisement for Batesville Casket Co.
SWGB
I agree. It seems that beach vendors can take some responsibility to provide more "community education" (e.g. leave no trace, filling sand holes, etc) besides just putting out chairs and collecting money.
The vendors are required to clear any and all trash within a certain radius of a setup.
In Bay county vendors were required to be lifeguard certified, but it was never enforced.
SoWal Insider
A first step? Replace the second red flag with the 'no swimming' symbol? The wind is usually blowing enough to reveal the whole flag. At each beach entrance add signs that state, a fine if in water ($200?) AND a rescue will be charged $10,000. (Your family won't be fined if you die, unless your rescuer also dies.) People in this country need to be taught the most basic of rules/common sense. EllenI believe the current second red flag does have a no swimming symbol.
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