HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20150420_AfterOrangeCrush.docxPRESS STATEMENT: Contact: Tybee Island City Hall
For immediate release (912) 786-4573
Statement from the Tybee Island Mayor and City Council
Tybee Island, Ga. – (April 20, 2015) “The City of Tybee Island would like to thank the officers from our own Police Department and from all of our law enforcement partner agencies for
their dedication to protecting our community during this past weekend. Their willingness to risk their personal safety for the sake of others is worthy of our sincerest appreciation.
We also would like to commend our volunteer fire fighters for all of their support as well as our City employees and all of the volunteers who cleaned the beach.
“While the majority of attendees behaved responsibly, the risks to public safety posed by such large groups of young people under no responsible supervision have become unacceptable.
“After approximately twenty five years, we have reached a tipping point and going forward will be doing everything in our power to put an end to this event while, of course, maintaining
a public beach for everyone. In order to prevent a recurrence of the island-wide threat to public safety that occurred this weekend, the City will be creating a task force of local
and state officials as well as local residents and business owners whose charge will be to make specific recommendations that could include banning of alcohol on the beach during such
events, enlisting an even heavier law enforcement presence, utilizing solutions developed by other beach communities that are faced with similar challenges, and other possible solutions.
We will also work with our partners at both the state and federal levels to seek their input and assistance.
“We look forward to working with our community and our partners at all levels of government to address this challenge in a responsible manner.
“Finally, we are keeping the victim of Saturday's gun violence in our thoughts and prayers and hope that he has a speedy recovery.”
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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