Glass has been banned on most beaches for decades. Drinking was banned on our local beaches here in San Diego in 2008. This was all due to a Drinking Fight in Pacific Beach on Labor Day weekend in 2007. When the police were called in, they were assaulted by beer cans and more. 17 people were arrested after 70 more police officers were called in and arrived in riot gear. The result was a 1 year temporary alcohol ban, then enacted into law. On a personal note I voted against the ban.
Despite the ban drinking continues unabated and in fact seems to be getting worse. Where there is drinking, there is a mess. There is cigarettes, broken glass, clothing, shoes, food, illegal campfires and whatever drinkers leave behind.
To that end I have picked up over 125 pounds of glass from the beach from Jan. 1, 2018 to Feb. 27 2018. For a total of 30 days of beach trash pickup. This is approximately and 20% of the glass on the beach.
The south end of my turf is the South Mission Beach jetty a particularly fragile area. It backs up to a rocky channel, where the litter and trash get directly blown onto the rocks and the ocean. It has 4 or 5 fire-pits all year long and is a favorite with fisherman and partiers. It is not unusual to see the following trash on a daily basis. Salvagers can pick up all sorts of things from BBQ’s to wood furniture. Great site for illegal dumping as all one has to do is back up to a fire pit and unload whatever wood pieces they want to get rid of.
The north end of my turf is Belmont Park. Belmont Park was established in 1925 as the Mission Beach Amusement Center and is an iconic landmark in San Diego. Developed by Mr. Speckles (yes the sugar magnet) it was created to promote his electric railway. Belmont Park is roughly 3 acres and next to an approximate 300 space parking lot. The most common sight in the parking lot is Fast Food litter along with glass beer bottles, which are often broken.
Where there is packaging there is beer and bottle caps and cigarettes, cigars and tobacco packaging.
Glass Beer bottles are not limited to the parking lots. Very rarely do you find only one beer bottle, as most people carry the 6-pack or a case. It is also not unusual to find unopened beer.
I know many people will say so what? But if every person ignored a law, we would have chaos. We are a nation of followers. If one person drinks beer, others will follow. If one person leaves trash, then others will too. It then becomes not just one bottle it is 20 bottles. Drinking begats drinking.
To me it is indicative of a lack of respect for any law, a lack of respect for other people and a lack of respect for the environment. People think it is OK, if you are quiet about it. Is it OK for me to rob someone, if I am quiet about it? Is it OK for me to break any law, if I am quiet about it? That is the problem.
On another note, none of this glass gets recycled.
Very thoughtful post…and of course, disheartening!
Another aspect to the rampant disregard for the law, of all kinds, in this country is this: you can only have freedom, as long as everyone agrees to the rules. (Laws)…and as we see, the more people who are breaking laws, the more laws we need, and the fewer freedoms we do have as individuals.
So true. Unfortunately.