HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20140407_OrangeCrush.docxPRESS RELEASE: Contact: Tybee Island City Hall
For immediate release (912) 786-4573
City of Tybee Announces Plans to Handle “Orange Crush” Crowds
Tybee Island, Ga. – (April 7, 2014) The City of Tybee Island has learned via social media that "Orange Crush" will likely be taking place on April 19. Tybee staff and police want to
communicate exactly what steps are being taken as a City to deal with this event and to provide information about preparations citizens and businesses may want to take. Much like other
coastal communities make plans for dealing with large groups of unsupervised youth during Spring Break, the City of Tybee will be taking extra precautions for the sake of the cleanliness
of the beach, the preservation of Tybee's natural environment and wildlife, and, most importantly, the safety of our residents, visitors and stakeholders. While officially sanctioned
events are more easily controlled, the reality is that Tybee is a public beach and, since no one has formally organized this gathering, our power to stop it is limited.
The Tybee Police Department has arranged for extra police officers from nearby jurisdictions to be on Tybee for the duration of the afternoon of the 19th and into the early morning hours
of the 20th. Over 80 officers are expected on the Island. Additionally, Savannah-Chatham Metro Police will be closely patrolling Highway 80 from the Lazaretto Creek Bridge westward.
Officers will be performing safety checks of vehicles coming onto the Island and will be keeping the two middle lanes of Highway 80 through Butler Avenue closed so that emergency vehicles
can move freely on and off the Island. These lane reductions may cause delays coming to Tybee on Highway 80. Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly.
Traffic delays could begin as early as 2 PM and last well into the evening.
Ambulances will be stationed on the Island in case of any emergency during the expected congestion.
The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will once again have its Mobile Command Center stationed near the Pier on the 19th.
The City of Tybee will be using social media in the upcoming weeks to inform Orange Crush participants about island rules and regulations along with the fines and punishments for each
infraction. These rules will be aggressively enforced as they are every other day of the year.
On Easter, April 20, Tybee will have its annual inter-denominational Sunrise Service at the Pier. The City is taking every step necessary to ensure the area is clean before the sun
rises on Easter Sunday. Visitors are obviously asked to clean their own belongings and trash from the beach. There will be extra trash and recycling receptacles placed on the beach,
and all litter ordinances will be enforced whenever violations are found. But the lessons from past experience has forced City staff to be scheduled out on the beach late on the evening
of April 19 to clean up any trash and debris left behind. Volunteers are encouraged to come out and help. The area of the beach to be cleaned will be lit to ensure everyone is
safe. Clean-up will begin a little before midnight on the 19th just to the north of the Pier and Pavilion. The Tybee Beautification Association is also planning on working to keep
the beach clean throughout the day on the 19th.
Public access to the Pier will close at approximately 6:30 PM on the 19th.
Should there be any questions or concerns, contact City Hall at 912.786.4573. As social media will be used to communicate with stakeholders, the City encourages anyone interested to
follow the City's Facebook and Twitter pages. Also, Tybee’s Mayor Jason Buelterman will be personally communicating via Twitter; he can be followed at @jasonbuelterman.
Finally, there has been some indication on social media that Orange Crush may take place on April 12. If it appears that this change will take place, plans outlined above will shift
to the 12th. In fact, arrangements have already been made for extra police support from Tybee’s law enforcement partners for April 12. If necessary, beach cleaning plans will also
be adjusted accordingly. If any traffic congestion is expected on the 12th, all communication resources will be used to share this information with the public.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off
the Walter W. Parker Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs,
and making sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.
org/.
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