National park beaches, rangers, tickets and the smoking disc

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:58 am

We returned late last night (great trip, will work on report) and I thought I would share my discussion with a park ranger ticking people at Gibney.

We were in the water when we saw a ranger walk down the beach with binoculars in hand. He gave the party next to us a ticket for having glass bottles. The next couple down the beach got a ticket for glass AND collecting "treasures" from the beach and water.

I know this because the ranger stopped to chat with us and my husband asked about the piece of metal in his hand. (It was an engine part) Mr. Ranger explained how noting was to be removed from any NPS beach and so on. I asked him about the smoking ban and he said they would be issuing warnings until the signs go up, which he said would be soon.

I had no interest in policing anyone but when we were at Maho, the group next to us was smoking like chimneys and partying it up with liter rum bottles as well as wine and beer in bottles. I was in the water and some of the ladies started talking to me in the way happy-to-be-on-STJ people do. Through the course of the conversation, I could not help mentioning how diligent the rangers have been about the glass bottles and now the smoking ban. They told me that they were coming to STJ for years and there was no such thing as a ban on glass or smoking. I left it my that.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:02 am

"They told me that they were coming to STJ for years and there was no such thing as a ban on glass or smoking. I left it my that"........... well you know me I would hve called the NPS at that point just to prove them wrong - I'm a (w)itch like that (OK substitute the "w"

)

Pia

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:25 am

oh, I really, really, really had to bite my tongue! even my 7yo can read the signs.

I told the ranger this story and he said he was going to swing by Maho and look around in the event they were there again.

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:49 am

I'm glad to hear the NPS is working to protect our natural resources...

Question, If I'm sitting on the beach in my swimsuit with no wallet or ID...how do I get ticketed...do they just ask my name or do I get in trouble because I don't carry ID to the beach, or what? I like to simplify when on vacation and carry as little as possible so I'm just wondering what tghe asumption is...
Thanks

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 11:07 am

My husband wondered the same thing about id. Out of habit, he carries a small wallet with his drivers license, a cc and some cash. As we kicked this topic around, we figured most people drive to the beach so they should have drivers license but yes, what happens when a camper or walker does not have id? I never carry anything with me.

ski2play · Post by **ski2play** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:44 pm

They take your word for it. Aka, your name, if you don't have your ID on your person.

I may or may not have gotten a speeding ticket on my first trip for going *gasp* 30 mph in a 10 mph zone as you come into Maho from Francis. Crapper, you know the part of the road that was just paved as it was divided into separate roads. Around the corner the girl went, and radar trap she hit. OUCH. $150 donation to the National Parks.

Caw954s · Post by **Caw954s** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 5:09 pm

I'm so happy to hear about enforcement by the rangers...I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut too

, so if the rangers can be the bad guys that's much easier for those of us who respect our environment and our laws and regulations.

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:35 am

Pia wrote:"They told me that they were coming to STJ for years and there was no such thing as a ban on glass or smoking. I left it my that"........... well you know me I would hve called the NPS at that point just to prove them wrong - I'm a (w)itch like that (OK substitute the "w" )

You a itch never

give you a pool and you will never be a itch

Pia

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:58 am

Shoemak38 - 100% agree - off to show hubby your post now

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:04 pm

ski2play wrote:They take your word for it. Aka, your name, if you don't have your ID on your person.
I may or may not have gotten a speeding ticket on my first trip for going *gasp* 30 mph in a 10 mph zone as you come into Maho from Francis. Crapper, you know the part of the road that was just paved as it was divided into separate roads. Around the corner the girl went, and radar trap she hit. OUCH. $150 donation to the National Parks.

Ha ha! , (laughing with you, not at you), thanks for the heads up!

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