turtle watch volunteer arrested

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.

Thanks Mango...we do this and much more, including but not limited to the flag system. To do this it takes alot of our time not just some of it. Education of our area is a team effort for all of us but I will be darn if I have failed this women who took the law into her own hands and broke it. I have let no one down, especially her.

The woman, who is a Turtle Watch volunteer, denies causing the damage.


I'd be curious to read or see more.


G

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!!

Whoa, Lynnie. She is being accused of vandalizing trash on the beach. We don't know that she actually did anything other than look for turtle tracks.

Whoa, Lynnie. She is being accused of vandalizing trash on the beach. We don't know that she actually did anything other than look for turtle tracks.

"vandalizing trash"...that kinda' says it all for me. ;-)

Speaking of vandalizing crap left on the beach overnight, I wonder if she would have been arrested if she smashed empty drink cans and empty plastic bottles, and wadded up Mylar potato chip bags. Anyone care to take a guess. I see all of this crap in the same category when people leave it on the beach overnight for their entire week or two. If the accused had put all of that crap in a bag and placed it in a trashcan, would she be arrested? It is trash, but I guess the owner of the trash is of the mindset that one man's trash is another man's treasure, even if left unattended overnight on the beach.

Is it too naive of me to suggest that prior to someone being handed the keys to a rental unit they should be read the bylaws - you know, have them highlighted and DISCUSSED - or have to watch a 5 minute video. Is that asking too much or being unrealistic? We get a little speech when we rent a car or go to a museum or a national park.

I know that there are those who litter and don't give a fig about it, but then there are those who really don't understand the implications of floats being left out or tents. There are things I have learned about even lately that I hadn't thought through. Example - throwing an apple core out on a lonely road - I always thought biodegradable so it's ok - until it was pointed out, on this forum, that a varmint could come to close to the road to eat it and get squashed.

Again, I am anxious to hear "the rest of the story."

G

For whatever this may be worth. When the remove-it-lose-it bit first started, I contacted the TDC to find out what was being done with the removed items. My idea was to get them to donate them to Goodwill, Caring & Sharing, etc., or even have a county beach-stuff store, using proceeds to help fund the cleanup -- rather than landfilling the stuff. They told me none of those could be done, because in order to fit all the stuff in the trucks when the staff were removing them, they had to pop floats, slash tent and otherwise make most of the items unusable, to cram them into the trucks.

So if Brady did indeed slash tent canopies and deflate floats, she was simply following the lead of our beach cleanup crews.

I am not a lawyer, and I've never played one on TV, but I'm hoping some legal minded person can explain how is it legal for TDC/Sheriff staff to smash, slash and trash abandoned beach stuff but not for a citizen to do the same? Wouldn't it be sort of like a citizen's arrest (anybody here old enough to remember the Andy Griffith show?), only she was arresting stuff rather than people?

Citizen's arrest, Citizen's arrest! I guess the flip side is that line from the TV show, "COPS," or was it Judge Whopner's court show on TV? -- "Don't take the law into your own hands."

Another flip side of that is that if you wait for the po-po to show up and run off the burglar, you may die, waiting.

Good stuff, Susan Horn.

Gidget, you are not being too naive. I had the same thought a couple of years ago when everyone was drowning in the rip currents. I suggested the TDC create a short video to email (or mail a DVD) out to all of the rental companies to forward to their guests. The video could be branded with TDC stuff, and there could be a fun/educational one for kids to watch, too, not only getting them more excited about their upcoming trip, but helping educate them in the process, and potentially saving their lives. Adding beach etiquitte would be easy enough. The TDC somewhat liked the idea, but to my knowledge, they have done nothing with the idea.

For whatever this may be worth. When the remove-it-lose-it bit first started, I contacted the TDC to find out what was being done with the removed items. My idea was to get them to donate them to Goodwill, Caring & Sharing, etc., or even have a county beach-stuff store, using proceeds to help fund the cleanup -- rather than landfilling the stuff. They told me none of those could be done, because in order to fit all the stuff in the trucks when the staff were removing them, they had to pop floats, slash tent and otherwise make most of the items unusable, to cram them into the trucks.

So if Brady did indeed slash tent canopies and deflate floats, she was simply following the lead of our beach cleanup crews.

I am not a lawyer, and I've never played one on TV, but I'm hoping some legal minded person can explain how is it legal for TDC/Sheriff staff to smash, slash and trash abandoned beach stuff but not for a citizen to do the same? Wouldn't it be sort of like a citizen's arrest (anybody here old enough to remember the Andy Griffith show?), only she was arresting stuff rather than people?

Interesting point Susan...so she is REALLY a volunteer for the TDC also....maybe they can step in a help out with legal answers ????

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.

.

SHELLY,

If she was arrested for stealing people's property (because she was removing it from the beach) then I would agree 100% with you and I would feel comfortable saying we needmore people like her. I'd join that posse. But from what I have read about this, she didn't remove anything- she damaged it.

We need vigilantes who get fed up with the local government and respond by removing property left overnight to clean our beaches. This lady got fed up all right but she didn't serve her cause by cleaning up- she just messed up stuff and got herself into trouble...

This thread begs the question: Is it legal to move items left on the beach to another location on the beach? That doesn't sound like stealing by definition, nor does it sound like vandalism. If this be the case, it should be legal to move said items to a location on the beach, in close proximity to the TDC trashcans.

The woman, who is a Turtle Watch volunteer, denies causing the damage.


I'd be curious to read or see more.


G

True. Will be an interesting day in court if it goes that far. Doesn't she also work for the Walton Sun? I saw the article in the Daily News but one of the few times I did not see a name associated with an arrest.

This thread begs the question: Is it legal to move items left on the beach to another location on the beach? That doesn't sound like stealing by definition, nor does it sound like vandalism. If this be the case, it should be legal to move said items to a location on the beach, in close proximity to the TDC trashcans.

It still goes back to what is public and what is private. Until that gets resolved we are going to go in circles on this issue. Private property is private property. You can not abandon stuff you leave in your yard just cause your yard touches the Gulf or is made of white sand.

This thread begs the question: Is it legal to move items left on the beach to another location on the beach? That doesn't sound like stealing by definition, nor does it sound like vandalism. If this be the case, it should be legal to move said items to a location on the beach, in close proximity to the TDC trashcans.

And while I am thinking about it, I am going to mail you a LED flashlight next time I am at wally world and can get one. So when you get a package from me, that is what it is. I do not want you to have to stumble around in the dark on the beach any longer.

My 2 cents:

She totally "Over Reacted."

She could have made "one" call (sub station/TDC) and this issue could have been resolved.

Apparently she needed a "chill pill" that day.....................

I feel sorry for her

Thanks, but using flashlights on the beach only addresses the symptom of the problem, not the problem itself, which is unfilled holes and crap left on the beach overnight. Finding cures for symptoms rather than problems, is why we have so many pharmaceutical medications, each complete with many side effects, which require more meds to treat the side effects caused by the other medicines. If we treated the actual problem, we wouldn't have a gluttony of symptoms to treat. No different with the beach crap and holes. If we can educate people to remove their crap overnight, and fill in holes they dig, leaving the beach as pristine as they found it, or better, there are no problems, nor symptoms, and everyone wins.

BTW, there is plenty of publicly deeded beach in Walton County, with plenty of crap left abandoned on it, overnight, throughout the entire summer.

Gidget, you are not being too naive. I had the same thought a couple of years ago when everyone was drowning in the rip currents. I suggested the TDC create a short video to email (or mail a DVD) out to all of the rental companies to forward to their guests. The video could be branded with TDC stuff, and there could be a fun/educational one for kids to watch, too, not only getting them more excited about their upcoming trip, but helping educate them in the process, and potentially saving their lives. Adding beach etiquitte would be easy enough. The TDC somewhat liked the idea, but to my knowledge, they have done nothing with the idea.

That would be fantastic - rip currents, beach etiquette, and some of the questions asked CONSTANTLY of you locals. I think that is a great idea and perhaps now is an opportune time to reintroduce the idea to the TDC. You know, kids are the EASIEST to "train" regarding what's "right". They LONG to be involved and do the right thing by nature and sea turtles, etc.... I witness that when they remind us about "green" living ideas they have learned.

Thanks for responding.

G

For whatever this may be worth. When the remove-it-lose-it bit first started, I contacted the TDC to find out what was being done with the removed items. My idea was to get them to donate them to Goodwill, Caring & Sharing, etc., or even have a county beach-stuff store, using proceeds to help fund the cleanup -- rather than landfilling the stuff. They told me none of those could be done, because in order to fit all the stuff in the trucks when the staff were removing them, they had to pop floats, slash tent and otherwise make most of the items unusable, to cram them into the trucks.

So if Brady did indeed slash tent canopies and deflate floats, she was simply following the lead of our beach cleanup crews.

I am not a lawyer, and I've never played one on TV, but I'm hoping some legal minded person can explain how is it legal for TDC/Sheriff staff to smash, slash and trash abandoned beach stuff but not for a citizen to do the same? Wouldn't it be sort of like a citizen's arrest (anybody here old enough to remember the Andy Griffith show?), only she was arresting stuff rather than people?

Was it Gober or Gomer that did the citizens arrest. I think it was Gomer. That was pretty funny.

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

I don't think it is her. I thought that at first.

For whatever this may be worth. When the remove-it-lose-it bit first started, I contacted the TDC to find out what was being done with the removed items. My idea was to get them to donate them to Goodwill, Caring & Sharing, etc., or even have a county beach-stuff store, using proceeds to help fund the cleanup -- rather than landfilling the stuff. They told me none of those could be done, because in order to fit all the stuff in the trucks when the staff were removing them, they had to pop floats, slash tent and otherwise make most of the items unusable, to cram them into the trucks.

So if Brady did indeed slash tent canopies and deflate floats, she was simply following the lead of our beach cleanup crews.

I am not a lawyer, and I've never played one on TV, but I'm hoping some legal minded person can explain how is it legal for TDC/Sheriff staff to smash, slash and trash abandoned beach stuff but not for a citizen to do the same? Wouldn't it be sort of like a citizen's arrest (anybody here old enough to remember the Andy Griffith show?), only she was arresting stuff rather than people?

Susan, I also contacted TDC and got pretty much the same story. I was even told that I could not come and get some of the "stuff" and donate it to a good cause....

I am not a lawyer, and I've never played one on TV, but I'm hoping some legal minded person can explain how is it legal for TDC/Sheriff staff to smash, slash and trash abandoned beach stuff but not for a citizen to do the same? Wouldn't it be sort of like a citizen's arrest (anybody here old enough to remember the Andy Griffith show?), only she was arresting stuff rather than people?

http://www.sowal.com/bb/nature-envi...oggerhead-unable-find-place-lay-her-eggs.html

Could we be deputized? Load the stuff up every night/early morning & donate to Goodwill?

Whoa, Lynnie. She is being accused of vandalizing trash on the beach. We don't know that she actually did anything other than look for turtle tracks.

Yep, you're right. Sorry for my assumption there (with the proposed video and such). Hoping for the best outcome for our beaches, turtles and this woman who again, it seems her intentions were in the right place......of the alleged crime.

This thread makes me want to move to Costa Rico. I am sure many of you would be OK with that. They just simply have a way things flow down there. If you break the rules, the locals let you know. You will not repeat the mistake twice.;-)
Maybe Mary has been to Costa and is showing the Tourist how things get done if you don't listen. I also bet those folks won't leave their stuff on the beach anymore.
Respect the beach and follow the rules or go home!