photo police at Seaside

[scooterbug44]

My issues with Seaside have to do with the recent burst of "private" and "this is my toybox, get away" attitudes. I know it isn't representative of the majority of Seaside owners or businesses, but that's whose voice we're hearing.

I want these cranky pants to go away (talking to you, Tupelo street mofo's ) so Seaside can go back to being the great and welcoming community that we love.

Obviously a community has to have some rules, especially when people don't respect boundaries or have manners, but there's a big difference between basic rules and OCD sphincter clenching. :roll:

 

[GoodWitch58]

I admit that sometimes I wish all the new developments would go away and we could enjoy the sand dunes as we used to...loooonnnggg ago

That said, I must say the attitude in Seaside has diminished over the years; obviously, there is a new problem or Robert Davis would not have written his recent Op-Ed challenging the Town Council/owners to identify and deal with the "real" problem, which he said was not solved by putting up private signs on the beach.

It may have changed now, but last year I was shooting pictures of my niece before her wedding. I asked the management in Watercolor if it was okay to shoot in their area. The reply I got was: "Certainly, enjoy--we are glad you are here."

The wedding was not in Watercolor, nor were we staying in Watercolor. We were just two local residents looking for a good background for the photos. We felt very welcome in Watercolor,

I think an area is entitled to have rules and regulations certainly; they are even entitled to have Security Patrols if they feel it is necessary--but, Red Shirts! and running people off who are just taking photos! It's the attitude that is being demonstrated that is the problem IMO and it is different than it was when I first started going to Seaside. If it were just a gated community at the beach that would be one thing, but Seaside was designed and hyped as a place where neighbors could visit with one another--and the "town" was designed for people to walk around and enjoy not only the businessess, but meeting and greeting each other. It was supposed to be a community.

That that feeling of community is now accented by Red Shirts is what is sad IMO.

 

[Beach Bimmer]

That that feeling of community is now accented by Red Shirts is what is sad IMO.

Realistically, the red shirts are real people just like us, locals, most of whom have a background & qualifications within local law enforcement.

They are hired by Town Council to do their job as they are instructed. Perhaps that's where the problem lies, the instructions they are given.

I'll repeat what I posted earlier in this thread:

Since last year Seaside Security answers to Town Council...

 

[GoodWitch58]

Realistically, the red shirts are real people just like us, locals, most of whom have a background & qualifications within local law enforcement.

They are hired by Town Council to do their job as they are instructed. Perhaps that's where the problem lies, the instructions they are given.

I'll repeat what I posted earlier in this thread:

Since last year Seaside Security answers to Town Council...

I don't have any problem with the individuals wearing the red shirts...my problem is the Town Council using the symbol of Red Shirts to police what is billed as a "Community"...in most exclusive gated communities the security is subtle and blends in...these Red Shirts scream negativity IMO.

I realize the people are just following instructions and trying to make a living--no problem with the individuals!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Let me also be perfectly clear. Thus far, I have no issues with the people employed to be security guards in Seaside. It's the position of "Privacy" Guard with which I think there is an issue.

I could almost guarantee you that much of the issues are caused by a lawyer and liability issues. Bet you money. I don't know how they address the issue of liability and openness, simultaneously. I guess they could bump up their liability insurance.

 

[scooterbug44]

Rules about people not riding skateboards etc on a sidewalk is probably a liability issue - pitching a fit about taking pictures and using a beach, not so much! :roll:

I understand and support their posting signs that the neighborhood pavillions are private, because folks who weren't guests were using them and preventing the homeowners and Seaside guests from doing so.

Signs on the beach (ironically of a blue hue) - hells no! :angry:

 

[Smiling JOe]

libility is a factor when someone steps onto your property, even if it is noted as open to the public. Let that photographer fall and break a leg, or that bride fall down the steps from one of the pavilions, hitting her head numerous times and dieing as a result. (sorry for the horrible graphic thoughts, but I have to show the extremes, because those are the cases which are won in the courtrooms.) The copyright thing of Seaside in commercial photos is a different issue, I agree, but I still think liability risk is always a factor. Maybe it is their "excuse," for not wanting visitors in Seaside.

 

[scooterbug44]

Those basic liability issues you mentioned potentially exist for every community, business, and piece of property in the area, so you can't blame it for the recent spate of rules and unfriendliness. ;-)

 

[ShallowsNole]

Unless there have been changes since I worked for SCDC and, later, one of the merchants, everything within Seaside - including the Town Center and other areas that are open to the public - is technically private property. They can do what they want.

And, they tossed out the "new town, old ways" motto long ago.

 

[Matt J]

I think it will be interesting to see how quickly some property owners reverse the idea that they own the beach when someone gets hurt and sues.