City lists top 10 beach violations

The city wants to remind residents and visitors that it's easy to forget what's legal and illegal on the beach.

So Planning and Projects Director David Parsons put together a list of the top 10 beach violations that could result in a fine.

They are: • No beach parking sticker

• Driving in the dunes

• Driving along the water's edge or in the water

• Having a glass container on the beach

• Making donuts or spinning tires in the sand (or otherwise damaging the travel surface)

• Driving vehicles within the safety bollard area

• Littering

• Building campfires using wood with nails or screws

• Blocking the beach travel way with a vehicle or any other item, such as a tent or a game in progress

• Peddling on the beach without a city license.

City Manager Michael Kovacs said the list isn't in any particular order and doesn't represent the number of citations police hand out.

"These are just things David found in looking through the Coastal Management Plan, and we thought it would be well to remind people that they're against the law," he said.

All are Class C misdemeanors, which can result in a fine of up to $500 on conviction.

Police Lt. James Stokes said officers are more likely simply to remind motorists that a beach parking sticker is needed to park on the beach, unless the driver of the vehicle can't be found.

"If an officer can't find the person responsible for the vehicle with a reasonable search, there's not much option to writing a citation," Stokes said.

Vendors on the beach sell parking stickers, which are also available at any Stripes convenience store, at the Family Center IGA or at city hall, 710 W. Ave. A. No matter where they're bought, beach parking stickers cost $12 and are good for a calendar year, January-December.

The remaining nine violations will most likely result in a citation, Stokes said.

However, he agreed that making people aware of what should and shouldn't be done on the beach is a good step.

"We'd much rather prevent a violation than have to write a citation," he said.