Police cracking down as surfers make waves amid beach closures Union Leader, Apr 26, 2020
It’s hard for an avid surfer like Larry Rocha to pass up a good wave, but he knows that’s what he’s supposed to do while Seacoast beaches are closed to keep hordes of visitors away during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve got to do what we can to get through this time. There will be waves another day,†said Rocha, who lives near Jenness State Beach in Rye and serves on the Rye Beach Committee.
Others, who have chosen to ignore the closure, soon could be caught in a wave of trouble.
Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh has threatened to charge surfers who continue to defy no-parking rules, as well as the executive order issued by Gov. Chris Sununu last month. He said they could be charged with a violation under a town ordinance and face a $62 fine.
“They continue to do what they want. At some point they need to know you’re going to get a ticket and go to court because you’re ignoring it. They’re really not thinking of everybody. It’s very disappointing,†he said.
Some who have ventured into the water argue that while the beach itself might be closed, the ocean isn’t off limits and they should be allowed to surf.
After the March 28 beach closures, signs and barricades were installed to prevent street parking along a large portion of Route 1A.
Walsh said some surfers park on private property while others are dropped off near the beach — “Uber surfing,†he called it.
“The bottom line is we’re supposed to do this as a community,†he said, noting that 95% of people are observing the rules.
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