By Lady Redfish
As the busiest week of the year approaches for Crystal Beach it is a good time to remind everyone that only licensed drivers can operate a golf cart. I recently observed what appeared to be two seven year old girls run a stop sign six times at an intersection of a road going to the beach. I called the Sheriff’s department and they spoke to the renters of the beach house. No one wants to see a child hurt or possibly killed. It would change the lives of everyone involved forever. All rules that apply to a car or truck regarding traffic laws, also apply to a golf cart. All rules apply on the beach also. The Galveston County Sheriff’s office states that you must have a valid driver’s license to operate a golf cart. Our law enforcement officials are going to be busy enough 4th of July week without having to police underage driving. Parents please do not let your children drive golf carts and make this a safe and happy 4th for everyone.
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Ed: Since you don’t have a golf cart why not push to make them illegal! Go take a nap or to the bayside and watch the birds…
i have a 14 year old who is a very careful driver of any vehicle. he drives all types of vehicles at our hunting ranch. its a shame he cannot drive a golf cart on the beach. (i let him drive it anyway).
sometimes people worry too much about others and try to spoil the fun for everyone else.
Thanks for the greatest communication from the wonderful community of Bolivar Peninsula. Crystal Beach.com presents the brightest “sun & fun” beach update/info we could ever desire. I miss you all; but, enjoy so much keeping up through this weekly email.
My toes are sand less and my soul will always remain SALTY.
Great job to all contributing to this publication – Salt Soul Friends Forever……
I, too, have rented down at Crystal Beach, for 34 yrs. (and spent many summers there growing up, as I was a Beaumont resident)and have seen the change from a “bait/fish camp/weekend” attitude to one where more residents make the beach their permanent home and take pride in their homes, land, and the beach. However, it does no good to hand renters a piece of paper with a list of rules….unfortunately you will have to READ it to them then have them sign off, which makes the check-in time a little longer. I am grateful the community has added garbage cans and numbered them, making them great landmarkers for beach walkers/joggers to find their way home. Unfortunately, there are not enough of the trash cans during holiday events where everyone is at the beach. The only way, possibly, is to make the beach private access only and ban all motorized vehicles, including golf carts, ATVs, etc., and provide a parking area for all motorized vehicles. Of course most find this intolerable but it has worked in other areas of the country where the beaches have been restored to their pristine condition. It would also help to keep foot traffic off the sand dunes, which also needs to be addressed to renters. Additionally, the signs notifying everyone to stay off the dunes are so small they are ignored.
I AGREE, we never even went to the beach on the 4th due to reckless underage drivers and trash people were leaving. We are homeowners here and have a list of rules for the beach and I think they should be posted at ALL entrances beside the “no glass containers” which NO ONE READS. Something needs to be done. I have had my grandchildren down several times and have TRIED to stop stupid people recklessly driveing and putting all of us at risk. Golf Cart Rental Shops should have rule list laminated and posted in cart! Officers should pass out list of RULES on beach, for all of our safety!
We always carry a trash bag with us and leave in the dumpster on our way out. HELP US KEEP OUR BEACH CLEAN AND SAFE!!!!!
YES. The beach traffic was terrible during the Fourth of July weekend. The beach was packed with both cabin owners and visitors wishing to enjoy some “coastal” time. Utter disregard for speed limits, driving age, and just plain common courtesy was definitely prevalent. What’s happened to common sense and parental control??
Thank you for your thoughts concerning our fine beach. I want us to always have open beaches in Texas. I know we can all help to keep this a reality.
I would also like to ask that EVERYONE have their dogs on leashes at the beach. I think it is a law, but I am not sure. However, it would be very courteous and much safer if we all watch out for our pups, and obey the rules.
Sincerely,
Linda C. Elissalde
i would like to know what the speed limit is on the beach.
this past weekend there were 4 wheelers going very fast and rov slinging sand, can this not be stopped. the people that live down here have to follow the rules why shouldnt visitors. and also why is it that some people have the right to have a path through the dunes and the rest of us don’t. This place is not fair to everyone. only a few select ones.
15 mph, the rest sounds like whining.
We just got back from our annual Crystal Beach rental. I was very concerned at the lack of courtesy shown by people driving on the beach. People were riding golf carts, motorcycles, a jeep between the water and people’s “spots” where our kids were playing. We were always told never to drive between peoples shelters/set ups and the water. One guy on a motorcycle just cut through feet from little kids playing in the sand. Golf carts were flying by in the water oblivious to the kids and people. The golf cart rental places should give people a list of rules to follow, make them read and sign it. Ours didn’t, its just our many years at the beach we know the rules. I actually stopped one cart being driven by two preteen boys as they cut through our spot where my 3 year grandson was playing. Threatened them with calling the police. All rental houses should be required to post the beach rules as well as part of the lease. In one week we saw the sheriff on the beach twice. May have to find a beach where vehicles aren’t allowed.
Sandy: Did you notice you had parked in the ROAD and nearly blocked off the entire beach because you want your car where the sand is packed? I seen other’s like you that ‘own’ the beach, please share it.
“May have to find a beach where vehicles aren’t allowed.” = Galveston. Have fun and be sure to pay the meter.
I have found this new passion to help clear our beach. I intend to reach as many as I can to help spread the word that leaving trash behind is not “cool”, and it hurts the environment.
Cleaning up after a trip to the beach takes minutes and potentially saves the life of a seagull, or sea turtle, dolphin, etc…
I believe this behavior is not malicious, rather, I see at as thoughtless… or carelessness, and all it takes is a little more conscious thought, and it starts to go away…
The city of Crystal Beach has put a lot of effort into making trash receptacles easy to reach, and spends a great deal of money to help Keep the Coast Clear, but this does not prevent people from leaving and not cleaning up behind them. It is these people we need to reach.
Everyone Ive spoken to regarding this issue receives it well, and agrees that a problem exists. But figuring out how to put an end to it is the challenge. I believe the first and best way to head this off, is to continue to discuss it openly, and then secondly, publicly set an example. A little beach clean up is contagious, and when people see others cleaning, the lights come on…
Thank you for taking the time to read this…
Keepin it Coastal! Check out the events page for our one mile cleanup on the 13th at 9:00am, Boyt Road.
WHILE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT ” POLICING ” THE BEACH…IT’S AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE THE AMOUNT OF TRASH…MOSTLY BEER CANS…. THAT ARE BEING LEFT ON OUR BEACH. WHERE ARE ALL THE OFFICERS AND PAID OFFICIALS THAT ARE COLLECTING MONEY FOR BEACH PARKING STICKERS ?
DO THESE PEOPLE NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO WRITE TICKETS TO TRASH ABUSERS? WHEN THEY DRIVE AROUND AND SEE TRASH ACCUMULATE BESIDE A CAR OR TRUCK WRITE A TICKET AND MAKE THOSE PEOPLE PICK UP THEIR TRASH.
I ASSURE YOU WORD WILL GET AROUND AND THERE WON’T BE AS MUCH TRASH LEFT ON THE BEACH.
I agree that our law enforcement officers will be busy enough 4th July week, and I am in concert with your message to parents, but policing the use of golf carts and other vehicles on the beach is something that should have more attention paid than is currently seen.
Besides underaged drivers, there have been many examples of reckless driving and speeding (on golf carts and other vehicles)over the past few weeks – and no police presence seen on the beach at all. Children, casual sunbathers and equipment are placed at risk because of thoughtless exhibitionists.
Policing this is something that cannot be avoided.