Security at Seascape Beaches

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Situation: During the July weekends, members noticed a severe overcrowding on A beach and an increase of cars in the parking lot. There were more than normal people using B beach but it was not as crowded. We continued to notice people coming into the Association through the main entrance and going to A beach. We also noticed large groups going to both beaches with coolers and supplies planning to stay the day at the beach.

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Some people were overheard talking about coming to Seascape because they have beautiful beaches, free parking and no security. It was also heard that the situation was posted on the internet.

In discussions and visits to local private beaches, we found out that they had overcrowding and established security to keep non-members off their beaches. We believe that these non-members were now coming to our beaches. At one point, members could not find space on A beach because of the crowds.

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Temporary Solution: The board decided to take action and establish security at both beaches during the last 4 weekends of the summer until Labor Day.  There were three shifts of two hour each with two people for both beaches over both days of the weekend. Armed with the association membership and instructions to identify everyone going to the beaches, the overcrowding stopped. There were almost no confrontations but many instances of cars driving to both beaches and seeing the security, turn around and leave. The security was staffed by all the members of the Board and a good number of other Association members.

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However it was observed that non-members continued to use the beaches during the week when there was no security. The number of people using the beach during the week was much less than the weekends. We also found people using boats to land on B beach from outside the association and people crossing the beach from Wild Harbor to use A beach.

 

The Association was told that the Board would review the effectiveness of the security at the beaches and make a recommendation at the annual Association meeting for the 2019 season. There was a lot of discussion and good suggestions from everyone.  In anticipation of a Board meeting to review suggestions and come to a recommendation, I thought I would list the suggestions.  In no specific order:

1. Do Nothing

2. Set up security every day from Memorial Day to Labor day

3. Set up security only on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day

4. Change the night security to two nights and have that person do day security.

5. Hire college students to do the security (one per day per beach) at $15/hour: six hours per day  at both beaches for two weekend days for 10 weeks ($15 X 6 X 2 X 2 X 10) = $3,600

6. Maintain the three, two hour shifts both days with volunteers at both beaches  ($0)

7. Set up a security station at the entrance to check everyone entering the Association and their guests against an approved list.

8. Set up a security station at the entrance to check everyone entering the Association and their guests against and approved list and calling members to approve guests not on the list.

9. Set up security stations in the parking lot of both beaches to check everyone entering the beach and their guests against an approved list

10. Set up security stations in the parking lot of both beaches to check everyone entering the beach and their guests against an approved list

11. Provide “beach tag” to all members of the Association which would be required to use the beaches

    1. Tag is a beach sticker for your car

    2. Tag is a water proof tag on a lanyard that can be put on beach furniture, wrist, etc.

    3. Provide one tag per household to be used by all members and guests of that household

       1. Some identification on the tag (number, address, name)

    4. Provide two tags per household to be used by members and guest of that household

       1. Ability to go to both beaches at a time

       2. Ability for guests to use while members use

    5. Charge a minimal fee $5.00 per tag

    6. Only allow members who have paid annual dues to get tags

    7. Renters must show member household tags for beach access

12. Tags will be used for authorization to beaches rather than Association membership lists

13. Parking lots:

    1. Remain unchanged

    2. Block of sections of parking lots for golf cars only

    3. Block off section of parking lots for handicaps only parking

    4. Limit car parking

    5. Eliminate car parking

14. Institute a policy of towing unauthorized cars from the parking lots

    1. Posting sign on A beach (already on B beach)

15. Association members ask beach goers to show tags or leave beaches

    1. Weekdays

    2. Weekends