SS Strom Troopers

That sucks after 4 years with your boots on the ground. Did you ask or did the cops explain what ordinances they were enforcing to throw you off the break? or was it a curiosity call to the private club?

 

if your not using the beach and below the tide line meaning just surfing a leaving after your done they cant do anything to you . If they could then the state police would have to sit out there and give tickets to every jetski , and boat that goes by in the water in front of a private beach . Call you local congress man and Surfrider.

 

That clears it up, A NIC # will kill a Whiskey Yankee clearance ....................

 

Matt,
I have heard this before over the years and it seems like a real gray area to me. Isnt this very similar to the designated surf beaches that we have down here in South Jersey, where we can only surf certain streets and how dare we try and surf somewhere else during the hours of 9 and 5 or whatever time the guards are on.

 

Designated surfing beaches are made in the summer when guards are on the stands to make it as Safe for surfers and swimmer as they possibly can . It they were surfing in the water in front of a private beach during off hours there really should be no issue. Now if it was in teh middle of the day and he was surfing in the same area of the swimmers then I can see why the cops were called. What if they you got in the water in a non private area of beach and paddled over to the private beach? I didnt have to use the private beach to get to the water

 

ginsumagic,

That makes me sick. I too have alot to risk with any kind of retaliation. Props for not pushing back because you are right in everyway. And thank you for your sacrifices in defense of my freedoms. I appreciate it more than you will ever know. If the proverbial s**t ever hits the fan, and you need anykind of help, let me know. I'd be grateful to help in any way possible.

 

Call your congressperson and contact your local elected officials. Consider contacting your local newspapers and let them know whats going on. Private beach is irrelevant. Federal law mandates that the beach is accessible to everyone, as already stated in this thread.
If it happens again, get the officers names and report them as well.
The only reason I can think of that you were told to leave is on some beaches, its illegal to be on the beach after sunset or after certain hours. State parks here in Delaware have some beaches that close at sunset. Rehoboth Beach has a midnight curfew. These are rarely enforced. They usually charge them with this after the fact. Such as drinking on the beach, etc. this gets added.
Don't let it go by without telling everyone you can about it. Otherwise, it will keep happening.

 

yeah private or not, no one "owns" the ocean. as long as you werent on the private club's property or on the beach past whatever curfews your town has, you didn't do anything wrong. i would recommend going back there with a camera and busting those cops if they give you ****

 

Before you do this, and I suggest you do if this persists, you need to find out what the ordinance is that you were called on. Go to Town Hall and have them cite the ordinance for you, and get a copy. I suspect it has something to do with the beaches closing at a certain hour. Cops are people, and the majority of them are just trying to do their jobs and enforce the law. But in situations like this, there are some grey areas, and if it's not a commonly enforced ordinance, the cops might be unfamiliar with the limits of the law and you personal freedoms. In fact, those cops might not even be local... lots of towns hire cops from other towns part time during the summer, further adding to the confusion.

But if you were right and they were wrong, keep a copy of that ordinance in your car, and if stopped again, do not challenge the cop, but simply say that, "it was explained to me by the Court Clerk (or whoever... it helps to have a name) that it's within my right to surf here at this time," and "I looked into it because I wanted to be sure I wasn't breaking the law... that's the last thing I want to do." Sometimes an approach like that can go a long way.

News reporters have certain freedoms we don't have, and that includes access to police records and "the books" in any town they cover. As a former newspaper reporter and editor, I know that the cops and the press have to maintain a relationship, and they can get a lot further than you can, if it comes to that. A little digging on their part can be pretty effective in clearing up the issue.

 

What town was this?

 

"Surfing restrictions: Proof that Americans hate freedom"

-me, about this time last year

 

The worse case scenario for this incident is loosing a surf break without further explanation. LB Crew has the right idea, need the ordinance code and most importantly don't allow this incident to domino as a catalyst to apply mis-interpretation of local code to other favorite spots. Also not in best interest to challenge the local Police as whoever decides to further resolve this incident could gather support from additional allies.

If managed professionally as a public relations matter for local Police/Town Gov't the Surf Community could come out of this a big winner.

 

If you were breaking a law then the cops were doing their job by enforcing it. If you are confident you were not breaking any laws then stand your ground and deal with it in court if is comes to that.

 

repost message

 

it is time... for ¡La Revolución!

 

You did the right thing// Never argue with a Cop// they do so many good things, its a shame this type of thing happens. Matt is right- Call your Congressman immediately- I would also call the Police Dept & ask for an explanation. Historically, Surfers get a bad rap. I grew up in the 70's on Cocoa Beach- Redneck Cops & Longhairs were a bad mix. Not so true today for most of us- We pay taxes, own homes, serve in the military, etc.
You deserve an explanation & asking for one is OK- Good Luck.