Beachgoers Left 13,000 Pounds Of Trash On Florida’s Cocoa Beach After Restrictions Were Lifted
The Cocoa Beach Police Department has said it will be tightening its enforcement of laws regarding littering after numerous visitors to Florida’s freshly reopened beaches left giant amounts of garbage behind.
USA Today reported that workers collected over 13,000 pounds of trash last weekend that was dumped by Cocoa Beach visitors as the state is easing down on its pandemic restrictions.
In response, the police made an announcement stating that law enforcement will be
“focusing on litter violations in the days and weeks ahead in an effort to educate the public and mitigate this repulsive and disrespectful behavior.”
This is just disturbing. We have to respect our beaches, marine life, and the ocean. If you bring materials to a beach that require being discarded, please do so responsibly. 😩https://t.co/yfujcjLdlZ
— 4ocean (@4ocean) May 10, 2020
Cocoa Beach Police Chief Scott Rosenfeld said that the locals work
“very hard to be stewards of environmental sustainability.”
“If I need to relocate critical resources during our peak season to combat litterers, we are no longer asking our visitors to comply with our litter laws, we expect it, and there will be consequences for offenders,” he continued.
Violators of the law will be facing a fine of $250.
The department also said parking enforcement personnel and other “eyes and ears” will be joining the effort, while asking beach visitors to contact the police if they witness litter offenses.
Littering has become a major problem since the beach was reopened end of last month. Governor Ron DeSantis gave permission for some beaches and parks to open up with restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted by Cocoa Beach Police & Fire on Friday, May 8, 2020
USA Today reported that volunteers in Brevard County have also sighted much more garbage left behind by people as of recently.
Local organization ‘Keep Brevard Beautiful’ told the outlet that volunteers recently collected around 300 bags of garbage at local beaches in just one weekend.
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