turtle watch volunteer arrested

There is no one participating in this thread, that has even come close to stating they approve of leaving junk all over the beach.

However I think we can say that some, appeared to support the breaking of the law to make a point.

I read about a study the other day talking about no matter how you raise your kid, they are going to follow the parent's actions more than anything else. Children are our future, and look what you guys have gone and done to them. Now I am going to have to pay for even more prisons.

As a Turtle Watch volunteer she has totally embarassed the organization, IMO. I once upon a time respected the dedication of the TW volunteers, but the actions of the individual, if true as reported, cast a new light on the organization if they condone such actions.

Which law am I advocating breaking? IMO all this lady did is ENFORCE our local ordinance - I believe it is #2003-7B - that any items left on the beach will be confiscated!!!

Or perhaps as a turtle watch volunteer she was more focused on the Endangered Species Act?

The lady has no authority to enforce that ordinance. Now I am going back to watching Death Wish.

BTW, Turtle Watch gets $80K a year in tax dollars to do that turtle monitoring thing.

As a Turtle Watch volunteer she has totally embarassed the organization, IMO. I once upon a time respected the dedication of the TW volunteers, but the actions of the individual, if true as reported, cast a new light on the organization if they condone such actions.

Environmental terrorist should be sent straight to Gitmo. Or that other place where we give them $200 million to go. Maybe she is on to something.

this is getting good.



just think this wouldn't have even happened if these people would have just picked their things up and taken them with them. all of this over something so damn simple (by picking it up) but yet so damn hard (for people that don't give a sh!t). blows my mind.

Simple fact is that people having fun on the beach make mistakes and simply forget things. People do give a sh!t about thier belongings. It's not done out of malice.

Which law am I advocating breaking? IMO all this lady did is ENFORCE our local ordinance - I believe it is #2003-7B - that any items left on the beach will be confiscated!!!

Or perhaps as a turtle watch volunteer she was more focused on the Endangered Species Act?

If she broke no laws then a court of law will decide that. But when many were applauding her actions, she had been arrested for breaking the law.

To me and obviously others on this thread that gives the impression that one is supporting the breaking of the law of criminal mischief.

If you are simply supporting her removal of items on the beach then we are in total agreement, if you are applauding her means of doing that by commiting criminal mischief, then we don't agree and obviously neither did law enforcement.

I seriously doubt she would have been arrested, and booked had she simply been trying to support clean beaches.

I support keeping the beach clean, I support safe haven for the turtles, I do not support breaking the law to make a point or taking the law into one's own hands.

Understood. But you should understand that there are people who agree with you on that but also have the maturity and wisdom to denounce this kind of behavior.

So what is anyone doing this year to start ridding the beach of this overnight junk other than saying "isn't it a shame--why don't 'they' do something about it?"

The "rules and laws" didn't work; the "24-hour ticketing" program was a farce; now the lawyers moved in with their cease and desist orders to removing the junk. Call it what you will, but the situation is getting worse year-by-year-by-year, and now someone took action (others have too--they just didn't get caught).

I can sense her frustration at the local officials, who, without a ball between them, let this situation get to the point where rational, caring people crack. I stand by my assessment of this lady's actions....with her rage akin to "driving the moneychangers out of the temple"...she's reached her level of pissativity. If she decides to do it again, I'd be proud to be in her posse.

NOTE TO CLUELESS, SELFISH OR UNINFORMED (check one that applies) FOLKS WHO LEAVE THEIR JUNK ON THE BEACH OVERNIGHT: Remove it.

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Environmental terrorist should be sent straight to Gitmo. Or that other place where we give them $200 million to go. Maybe she is on to something.

Are you referring to the people who destroy the environment by leaving their crap all over the beach, potentially causing damage?

I'm still wondering what will happen to my tents, chairs, cooler, shovel, along with personal items, if I set them up on the lawn of the Walton County Court House. I bet the cops would have them removed pronto.

Simple fact is that people having fun on the beach make mistakes and simply forget things. People do give a sh!t about thier belongings. It's not done out of malice.

Sure, Geo reminded us a while back that people can get distracted and totally forget about their possessions (for short periods of time). HOWEVER, it seems that too many people conveniently "forget" about all of their crap for the entire length of their vacation, and that is unacceptable in my opinion. If you give a crap about your crap, take it home with you when you leave the beach for the day. I don't go to your home and leave my crap in your backyard, so please don't do it when you come to mine. ;-)

Are you referring to the people who destroy the environment by leaving their crap all over the beach, potentially causing damage?

I'm still wondering what will happen to my tents, chairs, cooler, shovel, along with personal items, if I set them up on the lawn of the Walton County Court House. I bet the cops would have them removed pronto.

And you know that is public property. And you want ALL of the beach to be public property. But again, you leave out the part to your position that involves STEALING private property from someone who has paid for it and is currently paying taxes on it. And then cheer someone for going onto their land and destroying private possessions.

I just want the tourist that visit this area to understand that thankfully, local law enforcement is not like that. They do not condone the stealing of property or the criminal mischief to private possessions, and will arrest people more likely than not broke the law. So do not fear, the property destroyers are still being held in check.

So what is anyone doing this year to start ridding the beach of this overnight junk other than saying "isn't it a shame--why don't 'they' do something about it?"

The "rules and laws" didn't work; the "24-hour ticketing" program was a farce; now the lawyers moved in with their cease and desist orders to removing the junk. Call it what you will, but the situation is getting worse year-by-year-by-year, and now someone took action (others have too--they just didn't get caught).

I can sense her frustration at the local officials, who, without a ball between them, let this situation get to the point where rational, caring people crack. I stand by my assessment of this lady's actions....with her rage akin to "driving the moneychangers out of the temple"...she's reached her level of pissativity. If she decides to do it again, I'd be proud to be in her posse.

NOTE TO CLUELESS, SELFISH OR UNINFORMED (check one that applies) FOLKS WHO LEAVE THEIR JUNK ON THE BEACH OVERNIGHT: Remove it.

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Huh? You've never met this person, you have no idea of her character, you don't know if she's trustworthy. You know nothing of her intelligence her judgement but you'd be willing to join forces with her based on acts of what I would call vandalism. I think you're moving too quickly.

wrobert, you are making assumptions, one being that people don't leave their beach crap on public beaches. Secondly, I don't recall cheering anyone on in this thread.

Seems that the law enforcement didn't have a problem removing tourists from the beach, but it when it comes to removing tourists beach crap, suddenly there is a problem. Go figure.

Lastly, if I'm walking on the beach at night and I fall into a canopy frame after tripping over the guidewire to said canopy, thereby crushing the leg of the tent, am I going to be hauled to jail? I've done just that, and it hurt like a mo-fo.

People, remove your crap daily.

Huh? You've never met this person, you have no idea of her character, you don't know if she's trustworthy. You know nothing of her intelligence her judgement but you'd be willing to join forces with her based on acts of what I would call vandalism. I think you're moving too quickly.

I'm not planning on bringing her home to Momma...I'd just like to assist in the removal of the nighttime crap & scrap from the beach.

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A question for all of those that condone what the person arrested did or are...gulp...alluding that what was done was "heroic" in some way ... why is this individual denying that they did it? By denying it, unless they really didn't do it, it is telling me they KNEW it was breaking the law....that is was "wrong".

A question for all of those that condone what the person arrested did or are...gulp...alluding that what was done was "heroic" in some way ... why is this individual denying that they did it? By denying it, unless they really didn't do it, it is telling me they KNEW it was breaking the law....that is was "wrong".

.......remember when Superman did some good deed and the next day at the Daily Planet office Lois Lane would look kinda sideways at Clark Kent and talk about what Superman did the night before, and how he saved the day by defeating the bad guys; and Clark Kent would say he "heard" about that; and then Lois would say, "Why is it everytime that Superman is around, you seem to be somewhere else?" and Clark would say, "Gee, Lois, I don't know" and act real modest and humble and never let on that he was really Superman?......well, it's like that.

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.......remember when Superman did some good deed and the next day at the Daily Planet office Lois Lane would look kinda sideways at Clark Kent and talk about what Superman did the night before, and how he saved the day by defeating the bad guys; and Clark Kent would say he "heard" about that; and then Lois would say, "Why is it everytime that Superman is around, you seem to be somewhere else?" and Clark would say, "Gee, Lois, I don't know" and act real modest and humble and never let on that he was really Superman?......well, it's like that.

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More likely:

Anger, rage, wants attention, SNAP!

Do I know BobbySue?

Yes....ask Foles.

Sounds like she snapped! I bet there is much more to this story... Protect your children from the evil, turtle, float popping, tent cutting lady! Your float could be next! Ha! What a great story! I bet it gets national attention!

Bobby J.....does the name Mary Elizabeth ring a bell??? Look at the picture of her closely. Get Romeo on the phone!!!!!

Pirate said it most accurately. Our area has been developed. I don't know why the stuff piles up. I can say that no matter who comes into our rentals, they do not treat them like their own homes. Maybe it is along those lines that vacationers don't understand why local feel the way they do about leaving stuff on the beach. My guess is that this will be a battle that may last forever. I would guess that most vacationers could care less about turtles. They probally would not intentionally hurt them but they could care less. My guess also is that most locals could care less about the turtles. I wonder what this thread is about??? Turtles or stuff on the beach?

That would be your fault. I'm only five years into the rental/ tourist business and as an owner; I make every attempt to show pride of ownership which is felt by my renters; in addition to trying to make their vacations as memorable as possible, I try very hard to educate them on the delicate ecosystem, turtle nesting, and removing items from the beach. By the time they get to my house, they feel like it is theirs, and it is theirs for the week or so, and so is the beach, and they have shown great respect. It takes some more of my time, but pays off in spades. Some vacationers have never visited the area and have no knowledge of the delicate treasures we possess; dune lakes and such.

It is our job as stewards of our property and surrounding lands to ensure that people are educated, if they aren't already. Of course, there are always some bad apples, but when a grandmother/ turtle watcher goes into a rage and breaks the law, WE, as a community, in large part should bear some responsibility. We let her down.

I read about a study the other day talking about no matter how you raise your kid, they are going to follow the parent's actions more than anything else. Children are our future, and look what you guys have gone and done to them. Now I am going to have to pay for even more prisons.

This is laughable to me since, if I recall correctly, there was a Republican rally locally that had a pinata of Obama's head that was bashed in front of children. Do you condone bashing an effigy vs. the illegal tear down of inanimate objects left illegally on a beach? I also do not see anything in the article stating she did this is front of her children or grandchildren.

Wow. Pinata's, fetuses, and floaties in one thread. WTH????

This is laughable to me since, if I recall correctly, there was a Republican rally locally that had a pinata of Obama's head that was bashed in front of children. Do you condone bashing an effigy vs. the illegal tear down of inanimate objects left illegally on a beach? I also do not see anything in the article stating she did this is front of her children or grandchildren.

I think it's more the fact that adults shouldn't be condoning this kind of behavior, and obviously some on this thread are.

That would be your fault. I'm only five years into the rental/ tourist business and as an owner; I make every attempt to show pride of ownership which is felt by my renters; in addition to trying to make their vacations as memorable as possible, I try very hard to educate them on the delicate ecosystem, turtle nesting, and removing items from the beach. By the time they get to my house, they feel like it is theirs, and it is theirs for the week or so, and so is the beach, and they have shown great respect. It takes some more of my time, but pays off in spades. Some vacationers have never visited the area and have no knowledge of the delicate treasures we possess; dune lakes and such.

It is our job as stewards of our property and surrounding lands to ensure that people are educated, if they aren't already. Of course, there are always some bad apples, but when a grandmother/ turtle watcher goes into a rage and breaks the law, WE, as a community, in large part should bear some responsibility. We let her down.

Really, who died and made her queen?

Bless her heart, suddenly she's famous! I do believe she took her volunteerism seriously, but she did vandalize personal property. I don't think any of us want to see people leave items on the beach overnight particularly during turtle season.

Lots of lessons in this one!!

Finally, another fan of Edward Abbey's work.

Turtle - wrenching instead of monkey - wrenching ?