HomeMy Public PortalAbout20151006_BeachRuleCrowdControlTaskForce.pdf
10/06/2015
Jason Buelterman
Mayor
City of Tybee Island
Tybee Island, Georgia 31328
Re: ENFORCEMENT OF BEACH RULES AND CROWD CONTROL TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION(S)
Dear Jason:
With the formation of our “Task Force” in the spring of this year we recognized that our “tasking” was an
enormous undertaking! From the beginning, the group was of one accord that we wanted to be sure that
our recommendation(s) would not be considered as fluff or a quick fix, but rather something that would
produce, if followed, a long term solution to a perceived age old problem as well as, perhaps, a true
cultural change for our beach community.
We began our discussion with the “what if” question and proceeded to opine that alcohol use and abuse
was a significant factor in many of the altercations involving our police department, our citizens and visitors
to Tybee. We reviewed many jurisdiction’s decisions which led to the fact that many beach communities
up and down the east coast are now limiting the public consumption of alcoholic beverages to private
property. These communities have also enacted regulations that state “consumption on public property or
the possession of an open container on public property is prohibited.” ( Wrightsville Beach, NC; City of
Cocoa Beach,FL; Panama City Beach,FL; Hilton Head Island, SC., etc).
We also considered input from the Tybee Island Police Department with respect to incident driven/ arrest
data involving alcohol related incidents. I have included the table as provided by Chief Bryson for your
review , although I am sure you have already perused this many times.
Additionally, we listened intently and participated in a discussion with Sheriff P.J. Tanner, Beaufort County,
South Carolina, as he commented and explained the prohibition of open containers and public consumption
of alcohol on Hilton Head Island, SC. He stated explicitly that the ordinance, passed in the early 1990s,
“ has been tremendous for (Hilton Head) in curbing some of the problems we had historically had.”
After our numerous meetings over the spring and summer, our group unanimously approved the following
recommendation: It is recommended the the City Council enact an ordinance, with provisions,
that consumption of alcoholic beverages, beer or wine would be prohibited in specific public
places as a means to regulate crowd control, traffic control, and enhance overall public safety
island wide.
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We recognize that this recommendation will allow you, the Public Safety Committee and City Council to
consider the fact that there is a recognized concern and problem as reflected by our deliberations and the
public safety data presented during these discussions. Also, other communities have recognized the same
and have acted in a manner that improved public safety, litter and other problems associated with
unbridled public consumption of alcohol.
Therefore, I submit this recommendation on behalf of the “Task Force” for your consideration and future
action. Thank you on behalf of the committee for allowing us to voluntarily serve in our capacity as citizens
of Tybee Island with the hope that we will have played a part in keeping our homes safe, secure and a
wonderful “little piece of paradise”!!!!!
Sincerely
Demery R. Bishop
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2013 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL
TOTAL
CITATIONS 182 208 348 312 338 286 446 334 283 228 125 233 3,323
ALCOHOL
RELATED 44 71 135 106 182 91 164 134 66 98 38 46 1,175
TOTAL
ARRESTS 29 41 86 93 107 68 107 85 61 62 23 35 797
103 DUI
ARRESTS
ALCOHOL
RELATED 16 24 69 48 84 50 73 60 32 44 19 21 540
2014 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL
TOTAL
CITATIONS 162 119 180 386 408 514 421 203 100 117 47 69 2,726
ALCOHOL
RELATED 59 19 73 46 169 133 148 87 39 50 30 34 887
TOTAL
ARRESTS 36 18 45 45 87 56 89 42 24 28 15 15 500
147 DUI
ARRESTS
ALCOHOL
RELATED 23 12 37 57 68 43 58 32 15 19 15 12 391
2015 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL
TOTAL
CITATIONS 191 191 311 635 637 306 468 0 0 0 0 0 2,739
ALCOHOL
RELATED 66 58 133 247 225 86 259 0 0 0 0 0 1,074
TOTAL
ARRESTS 26 35 59 88 102 51 73 0 0 0 0 0 434
165 DUI
ARRESTS
ALCOHOL
RELATED 21 22 50 47 82 40 63 0 0 0 0 0 325
TYBEE ISLAND ALCOHOL RELATED STATS