So sick of the beach chair/tent vendors setting up tents right next to the waters edge. One of the vendors with dark blue chairs and umbrellas sets them back a ways and far enough apart to walk through but the other guy with the cheap chairs and tents makes the beach look like crap. Today he put chairs right in front of the lifeguard tower. You could barely get by the tents to walk down the beach by the water. I'm ill and I don't appreciate having to haul my stuff a quarter mile down the beach to find a vacant spot. I was told when I moved here that local people don't matter to anyone. Sadly, I'm finding that true.
Replies
118Beach LoverAuthor
This is very disturbing. If this is happening, we need the appropriate law enforcement agency (FWC?) do be more involved here.Even worse, i heard that Kemp's Ridley often come ashore during the day to nest. They are very endangered. One came up at daylight and nested at topsail hill park.
It speaks volumes when a Green Sea Turtle chooses PCB over SoWal to lay eggs...
Beach Fanatic
This was reported today by Tampa Bay News
www.fox13news.com/news/florida-news/262623810-story
Turtle probably came ashore to nest and became disoriented because of white lights as well.
www.fox13news.com/news/florida-news/262623810-story
Turtle probably came ashore to nest and became disoriented because of white lights as well.
Beach Fanatic
I've looked at the Seagrove sky beach cam at night and saw hundreds of flashlights up and down the beach. I invite you all to look for yourselves.
The people who torment them need to be horse whipped!
Beach Fanatic
The people who torment them need to be horse whipped!So people who harm turtles should be whipped like a horse?

Beach Fanatic
I've looked at the Seagrove sky beach cam at night and saw hundreds of flashlights up and down the beach. I invite you all to look for yourselves.Copied this from another thread but think the MILLION$ wasted annually on the TDC marketing should be spent on this instead.
Walton could see all the beach in real time and should take a page from the military concept of “constant stare”. Have 180 deg day/night IR cameras every half mile (52 locations?) or whatever it takes to cover the 26 miles on 50 foot or however high towers on the right of way or public accesses that fed video back to a command post monitored and recorded 24/7/365 by one or two people with software to ID dogs, people too far out in the water, sand pits, fireworks, turtles, outline public and private property boundaries, etc. A faction of the employees and cost needed to do a better job, keeps Walton vehicles off private property unless needed, and on the road for quicker response. Provide public wifi service for a fee to help pay for it. Put the video on the internet like Seagrove Beach SkyCam Live Webcam - Seagrove Beach SkyCam | SoWal.com. For much less [than multiple tax payer paid customary-use lawsuits, a surplus helicopter and pilots ($500/hour?)], or an army of code enforcement (at what $40K with benefits a year each?) you could have “constant stare”.
Jenksy we know your position, but what are you and your friends afraid of? There are the 14 SoWal public beach cams and likely already hundreds of private cams pointed at the beach now so why not the authorities who enforce the law?
Beach Fanatic
Copied this from another thread but think the MILLION$ wasted annually on the TDC marketing should be spent on this instead.Florida Beach Bum, Sign me up!!!brillant find!!!
Walton could see all the beach in real time and should take a page from the military concept of “constant stare”. Have 180 deg day/night IR cameras every half mile (52 locations?) or whatever it takes to cover the 26 miles on 50 foot or however high towers on the right of way or public accesses that fed video back to a command post monitored and recorded 24/7/365 by one or two people with software to ID dogs, people too far out in the water, sand pits, fireworks, turtles, outline public and private property boundaries, etc. A faction of the employees and cost needed to do a better job, keeps Walton vehicles off private property unless needed, and on the road for quicker response. Provide public wifi service for a fee to help pay for it. Put the video on the internet like Seagrove Beach SkyCam Live Webcam - Seagrove Beach SkyCam | SoWal.com. For much less [than multiple tax payer paid customary-use lawsuits, a surplus helicopter and pilots ($500/hour?)], or an army of code enforcement (at what $40K with benefits a year each?) you could have “constant stare”.
Jenksy we know your position, but what are you and your friends afraid of? There are the 14 SoWal public beach cams and likely already hundreds of private cams pointed at the beach now so why not the authorities who enforce the law?
BMB is ALL-IN
Beach Lover
Put up cameras along ours beaches and some freak`n touron
will try and sue the county for invasion of their privacy. Don`t forget, we all live in a sue happy world these days. 
will try and sue the county for invasion of their privacy. Don`t forget, we all live in a sue happy world these days. 
Beach Fanatic
The tidal pools have really bisected the beach around Ed Walline and Dune Allen (I'm sure elsewhere too).
It was interesting to see that this really effected the vendors as they had half as many set ups out during a busy July Week. Wonder Why?
Perhaps because they were "ghost" set ups?
Also, just some feedback from talking to several groups of tourists from Ohio, they had / have no idea about the tent size restrictions or any other beach issues. They were very pleasant to speak to and educate. I'll send the TDC a W9 Form....
It was interesting to see that this really effected the vendors as they had half as many set ups out during a busy July Week. Wonder Why?
Perhaps because they were "ghost" set ups?
Also, just some feedback from talking to several groups of tourists from Ohio, they had / have no idea about the tent size restrictions or any other beach issues. They were very pleasant to speak to and educate. I'll send the TDC a W9 Form....
Beach Fanatic
Put up cameras along ours beaches and some freak`n touronAgree but there are 14 SoWal beachcams now and hundreds of private cams. There is no expectation of privacy on the beach, just like on the 30A bike path, and anyone can take photo/video of the beach. Video of private property could be an issue because there is an expectation of privacy. Can blackout video of private property, and unblack it with probable cause. Property owners and guests could opted in or out of video. I wouldn't mind WCSO keeping a video eye on my property if vacant.will try and sue the county for invasion of their privacy. Don`t forget, we all live in a sue happy world these days.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Put up cameras along ours beaches and some freak`n touronThey can try, but there is no expectation of privacy when people are in the public domain. It would be an interesting test case, given customary use on private beaches, whether there is a reasonable expectation of privacy even on "private" beaches.will try and sue the county for invasion of their privacy. Don`t forget, we all live in a sue happy world these days.
Beach Fanatic
To clarify, meant to say could blackout video of residence or permanent structure, instead of property. Because there is an expectation of privacy in and on the habitable property. Can blackout video of private structure, and unblack it with probable cause.
Beach Fanatic
This is very disturbing. If this is happening, we need the appropriate law enforcement agency (FWC?) do be more involved here.Interesting thread. I wonder how many turtles by type annually nest in FL? How many turtles nest in NW FL? How Many turtles nest in Walton?
It speaks volumes when a Green Sea Turtle chooses PCB over SoWal to lay eggs...
Beach Fanatic
Interesting thread. I wonder how many turtles by type annually nest in FL? How many turtles nest in NW FL? How Many turtles nest in Walton?
Whats really interesting is the very large boat and trailer with huge wheels that has been parking IN the dunes at a very high end house about 200 yards down from the beach access at / near Goatfeathers off 30a.
Its been there for over two months. Now there is a fairly new turtle nest close to it.
Lifeguards and Code Enforcement drive by it each day...
Beach Fanatic
#1151
7/23/17 Public Beach access BMB 1:28pm. Check out illegal blocking of (empty) guard stand. Also 100% of allotted 50% of public beach being prostituted out for $$$$ by in charge Beach Vendor.
Photos texted to Brian @ TDC and Jeff Unenforcement
Officer. No response to date.
Photos texted to Brian @ TDC and Jeff Unenforcement
Officer. No response to date.
Beach Fanatic
Whats really interesting is the very large boat and trailer with huge wheels that has been parking IN the dunes at a very high end house about 200 yards down from the beach access at / near Goatfeathers off 30a.Send photos to BCC may help
Its been there for over two months. Now there is a fairly new turtle nest close to it.
Lifeguards and Code Enforcement drive by it each day...
Beach Fanatic
#1171
This has been in the same spot, in the dunes, in the sea oats for over two months... Is this allowed?
The Sea Turtle Nest is just down the beach about 30 yards. I'm sure turtle watch knows about it.
The Sea Turtle Nest is just down the beach about 30 yards. I'm sure turtle watch knows about it.
Beach Lover
Agree but there are 14 SoWal beachcams now and hundreds of private cams. There is no expectation of privacy on the beach, just like on the 30A bike path, and anyone can take photo/video of the beach. Video of private property could be an issue because there is an expectation of privacy. Can blackout video of private property, and unblack it with probable cause. Property owners and guests could opted in or out of video. I wouldn't mind WCSO keeping a video eye on my property if vacant.A bunch of those have been out of commission all summer.
Beach Fanatic
This has been in the same spot, in the dunes, in the sea oats for over two months... Is this allowed?John please email this to Tony Anderson 5th district commissioner at
The Sea Turtle Nest is just down the beach about 30 yards. I'm sure turtle watch knows about it.
andtony@co.walton.fl.us with addresses and explanation of problem...Tony and Sara Comander got the SWFD and code enforcement envovled in the life guard and umbrella problems this weekend at BMB resolved and they where happy to do it Comsara@co.walton.fl.us
Good luck
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