SALISBURY BEACH - For oceanside residents, life's a beach. In the past, though, it's been a beach partly marred by waste both commercial and animal, and bordered by improperly parked cars.
This summer, local and state police will be cracking down on bylaw and traffic violations in response to residents' complaints, according to Town Manager Neil Harrington. The fines can be hefty - for example, $300 for littering, and $50 for bringing a dog on the beach.
Earlier this year, he received a letter from the Salisbury Beach Betterment Association that asked for more enforcement of bylaws pertaining to leash laws and littering, among other offenses.
"They were looking for a stronger commitment from the town than might have been shown historically," Harrington said.
The town is using its community policing budget and money from the state legislature to fund state police mounted patrols and other troopers, according to Police Chief David L'Esperance. Local police will focus particularly on "quality of life issues" such as littering and loose dogs, he said.
"Most people use (trash) receptacles, it's just some that just don't care," he said. "If we observe that you don't use a receptacle, especially if one's available, you'll get a bylaw violation."
In the past, beachgoers might have had the excuse that the public trash cans were too small for their pizza boxes, but Harrington said new, bigger receptacles are on order for later this summer. Any litter, from a pizza box to an ice cream dish, could cost offenders $300. Other fines include $100 for starting a bonfire - something that happens fairly frequently, said Harrington.
"You'd be surprised how many people on a nice night get the urge to light a bonfire," Harrington said. "And they break off pieces of snow fencing for bonfires, which is a double no-no."
The biggest problem for the beach association, according to president Albert Peterson, is dogs running loose and using the beach for a toilet. Peterson said he met with Harrington and L'Esperance to discuss the dog problem, and was promised "more vigilant" patrolling of the beach. The association has already put up signs listing beach-related bylaws at the 14 public entryways to the beach, so visitors should be aware that their dogs are not allowed, he said.
This summer, local and state police will be cracking down on bylaw and traffic violations in response to residents' complaints, according to Town Manager Neil Harrington. The fines can be hefty - for example, $300 for littering, and $50 for bringing a dog on the beach.
Earlier this year, he received a letter from the Salisbury Beach Betterment Association that asked for more enforcement of bylaws pertaining to leash laws and littering, among other offenses.
"They were looking for a stronger commitment from the town than might have been shown historically," Harrington said.
The town is using its community policing budget and money from the state legislature to fund state police mounted patrols and other troopers, according to Police Chief David L'Esperance. Local police will focus particularly on "quality of life issues" such as littering and loose dogs, he said.
"Most people use (trash) receptacles, it's just some that just don't care," he said. "If we observe that you don't use a receptacle, especially if one's available, you'll get a bylaw violation."
In the past, beachgoers might have had the excuse that the public trash cans were too small for their pizza boxes, but Harrington said new, bigger receptacles are on order for later this summer. Any litter, from a pizza box to an ice cream dish, could cost offenders $300. Other fines include $100 for starting a bonfire - something that happens fairly frequently, said Harrington.
"You'd be surprised how many people on a nice night get the urge to light a bonfire," Harrington said. "And they break off pieces of snow fencing for bonfires, which is a double no-no."
The biggest problem for the beach association, according to president Albert Peterson, is dogs running loose and using the beach for a toilet. Peterson said he met with Harrington and L'Esperance to discuss the dog problem, and was promised "more vigilant" patrolling of the beach. The association has already put up signs listing beach-related bylaws at the 14 public entryways to the beach, so visitors should be aware that their dogs are not allowed, he said.
However, people who rent beachfront property might not know the bylaws and have no reason to use those entryways, so they might still let their dogs out to enjoy the sun and surf. Harrington said the town would send a note to landlords before the end of the month, asking them to inform their tenants of the bylaws.
Along with enforcing laws at the beach, police and troopers will make sure visitors are obeying the law on their way home, L'Esperance said. State troopers will be patrolling hot spots like Elm Street, North End Boulevard and Route 286 to keep an eye on traffic, whether it's moving or not.
PENALTY BOX
Offense Fine
Littering in public place $300
Starting fire on beach $100
Bringing dog on beach $50
Public nudity $50
Parking on crosswalk $15
Parking too close to fire hydrant $15
Parking less than 20 feet from corner $15
Source: Salisbury Town Charter
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