Code Enforcement tagging items

**Just Curious** · 07-21-2009, 09:14 AM

Code Enforcement finally got the go ahead to tag items, and they are out today, so make sure that you pick up your stuff before you leave.
It will be nice to get our beaches clean again.

**ASH** · 07-21-2009, 09:28 AM

Is this posted somewhere? I'd really like to know the procedure they are using. I am aware of things left on beaches for over a month now that I'd like to help get reported and removed to clean some places up a bit.
Thanks!!

**Just Curious** · 07-21-2009, 10:33 AM

The best way is probably to contact code at 622-0000. From what they told me they are tagging items this morning to let people know that they will pick them up if they are still there tomorrow morning. TDC supposidly has some "beach ambassador" who has been spreading the word for the past couple of weeks.

**SWGB** · 07-21-2009, 12:14 PM

ASH, if it's broken down crap you can always drag it next to a TDC trash can and they'll haul it off.

**ASH** · 07-22-2009, 04:29 PM

Won't do it. If the owners/renters want to see clean beaches, then it needs to be no exceptions. Good or bad, it all has to come off before I'm going to jump back into helping clean beaches. I won't even pick up an empty beer can anymore. I do draw the line at broken glass or litter that looks like something a turtle might try to eat. Otherwise I walk by it. It's not easy or enjoyable, but I've had it right up to here with people trying to make all kinds of exceptions.

I have heard that things began being picked up today that were tagged yesterday. I think this was a huge move in the right direction.

**SWGB** · 07-22-2009, 05:44 PM

I can't take that approach. If we all ignore it eventually we'll have a giant landfill instead of beach. I understand where you're coming from, but I just can't walk past the trash and not pick it up.

**mom of zoro** · 07-23-2009, 09:09 PM

I just have to jump in on this one. What is considered trash? Am I supposed to be responsible to decide for other people who have left the beach, what is trash and what they will be returning to pick up or use?
I walk the beaches too for turtles and early mornings, I see lone shovels, rumpled up beach towels, a couple of chairs, boogie boards, skim boards, clothing, sand bucket rolling in the surf along with plastic from the latest toy. Is it trash during 5am, but not trash at 11am? If I pick up a raft bouncing down the beach in the wind at 5am and stab it to get it to fit in the trash can, is it considered trash and will it be the same thing if I do that at 11am? I do wonder about the groupings of beer cans by the water and 70 feet away, near the only walkover that must have been used for the night time drinkers to leave the beach, sits a nice trash can. But the cans are still on the beach in the morning before the sun comes up. Is that trash or is someone coming back to their party? Do I need to decide and be the responsible one for each group of new weekly vacationers at my end of the beach?
Just another way to look at it.......

**Carol G** · 07-23-2009, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by ASH

Won't do it. If the owners/renters want to see clean beaches, then it needs to be no exceptions. Good or bad, it all has to come off before I'm going to jump back into helping clean beaches. I won't even pick up an empty beer can anymore. I do draw the line at broken glass or litter that looks like something a turtle might try to eat. Otherwise I walk by it. It's not easy or enjoyable, but I've had it right up to here with people trying to make all kinds of exceptions.

I have heard that things began being picked up today that were tagged yesterday. I think this was a huge move in the right direction.

Originally Posted by mom of zoro

I just have to jump in on this one. What is considered trash? Am I supposed to be responsible to decide for other people who have left the beach, what is trash and what they will be returning to pick up or use?
I walk the beaches too for turtles and early mornings, I see lone shovels, rumpled up beach towels, a couple of chairs, boogie boards, skim boards, clothing, sand bucket rolling in the surf along with plastic from the latest toy. Is it trash during 5am, but not trash at 11am? If I pick up a raft bouncing down the beach in the wind at 5am and stab it to get it to fit in the trash can, is it considered trash and will it be the same thing if I do that at 11am? I do wonder about the groupings of beer cans by the water and 70 feet away, near the only walkover that must have been used for the night time drinkers to leave the beach, sits a nice trash can. But the cans are still on the beach in the morning before the sun comes up. Is that trash or is someone coming back to their party? Do I need to decide and be the responsible one for each group of new weekly vacationers at my end of the beach?
Just another way to look at it.......

These are good points. ASH, I've gotten to be the same way... If it is something an animal might try to eat, or clearly, obviously, no questions asked, a piece of trash, I'll nab it and throw it away. Otherwise, until I know I'm not going to be arrested for tossing some kids abandoned shovel, I'm not touching it. I agree SWGB, things could start looking like a landfill around here, and I guess that's part of my reasoning. Once the beaches are destroyed, and tourists stop coming and spending their money because it's a trash heap, then maybe we can get some decent policy in place to change things, especially so citizens aren't being arrested for keeping the beach clean. I really, really don't want it to come to that, but I don't know what else will inspire this needed change.

On a positive note, the white tent frame that was almost invisible against the sand (and therefore even more dangerous) and the two blue tents that were in front of Watersound Beach for the past several weeks are finally gone.

Someone has graciously left a giant blanket spread out though, with a couple chairs on it - I'm assuming so that any passers-by are able to enjoy it too.

Maybe that's the solution. Maybe we just need to start setting up camp in other people's "space". Maybe next time there is a tent left out overnight, we should organize a party, and take it over. Grab the floats and use them, plant ourselves in the chairs...

**SWGB** · 07-24-2009, 02:38 PM

It's pretty much common sense. I don't touch the tent frames that are left standing, but if half of it is bent and falling down it's most likely trash. Kids are excited and get up early to go to the beach, but I doubt that things floating the surf at 5 am would be keep sakes.

I'll keep cleaning and picking up, I keep finding sand in my foyer, but I haven't given up on that.

**ASH** · 07-24-2009, 05:15 PM

And I'll keep on appreciating your efforts SWGB. I do hope to return to picking up things.

Most of my time in the early morning hours is as a turtle walker and I must take a very high road to protect the integrity of the name of that organization and not allow my zeal to stain their image. This is why I have taken my position.

Get me in ninja mode on personal time and anything left on the beach overnight could easily become "trash".

**Carol G** · 07-24-2009, 07:45 PM

Ok, so I lied. Sometimes I can walk past stuff, but not always... today I picked up an abandoned tupperware, a cracked hard hat, a bucket strap, a baggie, a piece of yellow police "caution" tape (!) and a net. I kept the net - score!

I'll continue to ignore the big stuff for now - chairs, floats, tents, even towels, unless they wash up in the water. I think the powers that be are working hard to solve the issue, and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

I'm glad there are so many folks here who do actually care about keeping the beach clean. I know we outnumber the rest by far... and I know we will prevail, one way or another. Whether by new policies, or becoming vigilante tent ninjas, our beaches will stay beautiful.

I still think we should have an "abandoned c$@p" soiree.

**hnooe** · 07-24-2009, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Just Curious

Code Enforcement finally got the go ahead to tag items, and they are out today, so make sure that you pick up your stuff before you leave.
It will be nice to get our beaches clean again.

The Turtle Lady will be thrilled about that, especially since all the criminal charges were dropped against her this week.

**mom of zoro** · 07-24-2009, 09:50 PM

I like the idea of setting up camp in other people's space! I think it may be a good way to meet our temporary neighbors and in a family kind of way, spread the word and educate. Of course, I would be ready to share our goldfish crackers!

And speaking of scoring, I have 8 nets this year so far....found washing around in the surf. One year I found a bra. No, I don't still have that. And one year, one of the turtle walkers found some dentures! 'To trash or not to trash?'

**Miss Kitty** · 07-25-2009, 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by hnooe

The Turtle Lady will be thrilled about that, especially since all the criminal charges were dropped against her this week.

Did I miss this news when I was out of town? Have a link to a story?

**SWGB** · 07-25-2009, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by ASH

And I'll keep on appreciating your efforts SWGB. I do hope to return to picking up things.

Most of my time in the early morning hours is as a turtle walker and I must take a very high road to protect the integrity of the name of that organization and not allow my zeal to stain their image. This is why I have taken my position.

Get me in ninja mode on personal time and anything left on the beach overnight could easily become "trash".

Ahhh! Now I understand the point of being careful.

Originally Posted by Miss Kitty

Did I miss this news when I was out of town? Have a link to a story?

Ed Walborsky got her off, she only has to pay for the trash the she "vandalized".