Published: June 12, 2008 02:00 am ShareThisPrintThis Bonfire, fireworks crackdown comes to beach By Angeljean Chiaramida Staff writer
SALISBURY BEACH — The bonfires that crackle up and down the beach on hot summer nights might come with an unpleasant surprise this year — fines of $200 or more. Illegal fireworks are also on the list of activities that will be cracked down on along tightly packed beachfront, where officials fear a spark could ignite a raging fire. Fire Chief Rick Souliotis and police Chief David L'Esperance say they hope tens of thousands of vacationers make Salisbury their family playground this summer. But both are also advising visitors and residents alike to follow the local and state regulations while at the beach, especially the rules of the road and fire safety rules along the beach. "We want people to come and really enjoy themselves," L'Esperance said. "Salisbury's a great place to be. But they have to follow the rules. Salisbury police will be enforcing the parking regulation and other regulations concerning the activities allowed and not allowed on the beach." Souliotis and L'Esperance said with three fireworks displays, two beach festivals, Nelson's Motorcycle Ride, other summer events and the Fourth of July plans, safety is paramount to both of them. Last year, Souliotis said, problems began when the fireworks shot into the sky during the Saturday night fireworks display presented by the Sand and Sea Festival. "There were hundreds of fires people lit on the beach," Souliotis said. "And people were setting off their own fireworks. Both of those are illegal. No bonfires are allowed and fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts." Souliotis said the potential damage from beach fires and illegal fireworks is enormous. The tightly packed enclave of beach homes in the area are ripe for disaster if sparks from a bonfire or illegal fireworks hit a house and ignites it. Fighting a beach fire on a busy night would be an huge problem, he said, and the possibility of fire spreading quickly to closely built houses on a hot, dry, summer night when the beach is packed with people is a nightmare for professional firefighters. Also a problem with beach fires, Souliotis said, is the fire's hot embers. "People think they can just cover up the (fire's) burning logs," Souliotis said. "But, if kids come by and run over the hot, covered logs, they can get seriously burned." Aside from the beach fires and illegal fireworks, last year's Sand and Sea fireworks crowd was very well behaved, L'Esperance said. There was only one person arrested for disorderly conduct. He wants it to stay that way. "It's not the residents that are the problems. For the most part, the officers say the problem comes from those renting the cottages," L'Esperance said. "They may not be familiar with the local regulations and state laws." But fair warning given, they said ignorance is no excuse for not abiding by regulations. If people park illegally, drive illegally, light fires, use illegal fireworks or drink alcoholic beverages on the beach, citations will be issued, and fines can be considerable. "If they park by hydrants, block crosswalks or private drive ways or where they shouldn't, they could come back from the beach and find their cars have disappeared because we towed them," L'Esperance said. "It costs at least $120 to cover towing charges." Public drinking, illegal parking, speeding and reckless driving, dangerous fires are all instances that affect the quality of life of area residents, L'Esperance said. Residents have told him repeatedly they want police to enforce these laws, he said. "If people find problems they should call us. They aren't bothering us; we want them to call if there's an issue, L'Esperance added. Salisbury will also join with other New Hampshire seacoast towns to try and put and end to the horrible traffic jams that result on summer Sunday afternoons along coastal roadways. "Hampton Police Chief Jamie Sullivan called me," L'Esperance said. "He said he'd like to pull together a meeting of (police) chiefs along (Route 1A), that's himself, Seabrook Chief Patrick Manthorn and us, as well as both the New Hampshire and Massachusetts state police. He wants to try to map out a way to prevent what happens out here at about 5 (p.m.) every Sunday when everyone from Hampton, Seabrook and Salisbury is trying to go home." Souliotis said that traffic turns Beach Road into a mess when fire engines or ambulances have to get to the beach during an emergency. Beach Road can be back up for miles with no one moving anywhere. L'Esperance hopes a traffic plan can prevent the amount of time drivers spend stalled in traffic going nowhere. "(Salisbury) Sgt. (Kevin) Sullivan has it right," L'Esperance said. "As long as we can keep people moving we're OK."
Safety regulations police will enforce on weekends and during festivals and planned firework displays. Citations will be issued to those found in violation. r No private fires on the beach. r Personal fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts. r Blocking fire hydrants, crosswalks or private driveways. r On summer weekends, the central portion of Ocean Front North and South — the area surrounding the Beach Center — will be closed to vehicular traffic to protect pedestrian beach goers. r Ferry Road will be open to local traffic only during the Sand and Sea Festival. It will not provide general public access for those attending the Sand and Sea Festival. r During the three public fireworks displays listed below, no vehicle traffic will be allowed on Broadway. r Saturday, June 19, Sand and Sea Festival Weekend r Saturday, July 5, Fourth of July Weekend r Saturday, July 28, Merrimack River Maritime Festival
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