Island is cracking down on parking, mayor says
Provided
Folly Beach Mayor Carl Beckmann Jr. says the city is beefing up its traffic patrols to catch those who park illegally this summer.
Folly Beach is making a determined effort this summer to enforce its parking regulations, Mayor Carl Beckmann Jr. said.
And parking tickets are costly. Parking on the wrong side of a street can cost you $30, and parking with tires on the pavement can run $50.
Beckmann said the island city has no new parking ordinances, but is using its Public Safety Department officers and part-time workers to enforce existing ordinances, especially on weekends and holidays. Current parking fees were established about a year and a half ago, he said.
Enforcement is necessary for public safety reasons, especially on narrow streets, where parking on both sides of the street leaves no room for firetrucks to pass, Beckmann said.
Several streets are marked as permitting parking only on one side, including West Ashley Avenue from Center Street to Folly Beach County Park, he said. During the summer, the city uses off-duty firefighters and others to ticket illegally parked vehicles.
"We are doing more of an effort, and in the summertime we definitely write more tickets," Beckmann said.
Matt Pendleton of West Ashley, who said he frequents Folly Beach, is angry about a $30 ticket he got recently on the island. He insisted he saw no sign that warned parking was permitted on just one side of the road.
Beckmann said the restricted streets are marked with signs at the beginning and end of each block. Pendleton said the only sign he saw regarding where to park was "on someone's private lot, in their yard, where no one would park anyway."
Pendleton said he's seen the signs the mayor referred to, but only "one sign every four or five blocks."
Beckmann said Pendleton is in error, adding, "Some people's idea of marking is a marker every five feet."
"I am just kind of appalled that tickets are $30, ranging to $100," Pendleton said.
A government contractor, Pendleton said he can't afford to leave work to go back to the beach and to city court to contest the ticket.
Pendleton said he won't risk getting a ticket over the July Fourth weekend. "I am going to a more parking-friendly beach," he said.
Reach Edward C. Fennell at efennell@postandcourier.com or 937-5560.
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Comments
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
When I was in high-school in the 1980s you could go surfing at the washout and find easy, legal parking for free nearby. Folly used to be so laid back, now it's just like any other commercial beach. Is McKevlin's still there? I used to love their t-shirts...
July 5, 2009 at 1:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RalphieParker (anonymous) says...
This is about MONEY. Folly Beach makes money off parking tickets and speeding tickets. Times are tight and this is about revenue plain and simple. Its the same story in most small towns, everyone knows not to speed through certain towns in this state b/c the one cop will get you.
Some parking issues can pose a threat to public safety, blocking a hydrant, being so close to an intersection you obscure someones view; but having a tire on the pavement?? Give me a break. There are already laws about obstructing a roadway, the tires on the pavement thing is just an excuse to write a parking ticket.
Go to the Isle of Palms or Sullivan's Island, they're cleaner and don't have rabid Mayors forcing their town employees to milk people thirty bucks here and fifty bucks there.
July 5, 2009 at 1:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
I live on James Island, I got a $50.00 ticket frpm their "people" a month ago. I don't go to folly anymore.
July 5, 2009 at 3:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
Don't ya mean that you will be allowing the NEW "parking Police" to issue tickets to the very people that make your.....I am sorry, I don't make the trip to folly because of the police.
July 5, 2009 at 4:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ForPnC (anonymous) says...
Parking at Folly is a joke. If you're not there by seven in the morning then there's no place to park. I quit going there over a year ago. There are many other beautiful beaches to go to and they're not overrun by kids, teens, and tourist traps.
July 5, 2009 at 4:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kath21445 (anonymous) says...
The new parking fees at Folly should boost membership in the Charleston County Parks- a Gold Pass gives parking at the County Park and at the Fishing Pier.
July 5, 2009 at 5:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paulie (anonymous) says...
There is no beach at Folly, just oversized houses and condos. With the parking police and excessive fines I stopped going to Folly a long time ago. I live on James Island, but drive to Sullivan's and the Palms to enjoy the beach life. Folly has lost the laid back feel it once had ...
July 5, 2009 at 5:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GAL2000 (anonymous) says...
That's why I enjoy going to Sullivan's Island. The police gave you a $50 dollar ticket "BillytheKId"? Wow, that is too much, and we sure do know what that is paying for. So much for enjoying the fun and sun. I would not go back either.
July 5, 2009 at 5:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ballachulish (anonymous) says...
Maybe if you lived there you would be more understanding.
Folly is getting out of control, people empty their trash onto your lawn, especially beer cans. My sister saw a woman change a diaper and just pitch it on to the ground, and showed no shame.
The majority of residents are full time, and are sick of cleaning up after Your good time.
How would like someone to puke and wee on your property, set off fireworks at all hours, and generally make nuisances of themselves?
Folly is not your playground to do as you please, it has limited parking, and resources, so if you want to enjoy it, act responsibly and get there early.
July 5, 2009 at 6:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I don't think this is anything new. Parking tickets have always been a part of the low country experience at Folly.
July 5, 2009 at 7:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wheels2u666 (anonymous) says...
i used to live on james island, and agree with most of these posters, i took my son and several of his friends from beaufort to the washout to surf, my right lefttire literally was over the yellow line by inches, 25 dollar ticket, Folly beach used to be a nice laid back community, like their dog laws, but the only way to fight this kind of lunacy is to stop going there and force the local merchants to push this idiot mayor and his council hacks out of office, hit em where it hurts, like they hit us, Parking on the pavement, isnt that what pavement is for? shame of folly beach,
July 5, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
I don't go to folly anymore because of the police also. Its the "edge of America" and its police are the bottom of the barrel to match.
July 5, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hubert (anonymous) says...
Folly Beach sounds like Myrtle Beach. The message? STAY AWAY. Don't come down here. We don't want your money. Go to the beaches in NORTH CAROLINA.
July 5, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
There is a way to foil their evil little plot: obey the law.
July 5, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
surfer (anonymous) says...
you're right left tire????
July 5, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
idunnno (anonymous) says...
FOLLY USED TO BE FUN........ GREAT BEACH AND NICE PLACES TO EAT......... AFRAID TO GO AND GET A TICKET........ DONT GO TO FOLLY ANYMORE..... MAYOR NEEDS TO LEAVE ALONG WITH SANFORD.
July 5, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scbiker1 (anonymous) says...
Since Folly likes taking our money, I think they should pay for the next beach renourishment themselves.
July 5, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ehmurr (anonymous) says...
Being a resident of Folly Beach it is nice to hear that so many of you have stopped coming to Folly Beach. Maybe that will cut down on some of the traffic and problems. If you know you can get a ticket for having your tires on the pavement then why do you do it? And the law makes perfectly good sense due to the streets being so narrow. I wish we had more police to enforce other laws like littering. It gets old picking up the trash thrown in my yard and on the beach. A little respect would go a long way.
July 5, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
Bunch of stupid comments here. If you can't park your car completely off the road, you deserve a ticket. Why should I have to stop and wait for oncoming traffic to pass so that I can go around your illegally parked car? The problem with Folly isn't the police, it's the lack of respect from visitors.
July 5, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
As I walked my dog down the beach this morning I was disgusted at the trash littering the beach from the pier to the washout. Seaweed and debris from high tide was not manicured as well. The spent fireworks from last night added to the eyesore. I love Folly and Berts Market and my old friends but keep the beach clean Mr. Mayor.
July 5, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RalphieParker (anonymous) says...
Dear Folly Beach Resident,
How does enforcing parking like the Nazis stop littering in your front yard? It doesn't but stopping people from coming to Folly does. So I'm all for that, without the money that sewer you call a beach community gets from tickets then your beloved Mayor can raise taxes to pay for town services.
But who am I to complain, I recognized long ago not only is Folly dirty most of your homes look like they never recovered from Hugo. So I go to Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms. Beach communities with adequate parking, clean beaches and decent homes to look at.
Its sad when I'd rather live in North Charleston than Folly Beach any day...
And please folks, don't blame the police, they are doing what they are told. Places like Folly hold total sway over their cops who never dreamed they'd be City of Charleston Parking Maids out collecting revenue for the town...
July 5, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
CARTA is actively looking at summer seasaon bus service to Folly, but it takes a lot of planning to create a route with a decent cost recovery ratio. The route worked well on weekends when the College of Charleston was in session, but nobody's sure it would work without the college students contributing to ridership.
Another problem is beach traffic congestion. The bus can't keep on schedule if it gets tied up in traffic. A once an hour bus that can't stay on schedule, won't be used.
The problem isn't people. It's cars. If we used transit as our primary method of beach access and parked most of the cars inland, we could create a wonderful system. It's done other places. However people in South Carolina can't be separated from their cars. Since their chained to their automobiles the can't get where they want to go.
The car is the problem. Not the people.
You can take the CARTA flex bus to the beach on the Isle of Palms from Mt. Pleasant now. You have to call to make a reservation.
July 5, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
I can understand where people are coming from on both sides of this issue. I live on James Island and I know how bad the traffic can be just to get around in the summer. I don't like having to wait 35 minutes just to get to Folly Beach, which is only three miles from my house. Hopefully this will encourage more people to carpool to get to the beaches. Better yet, why not have a shuttle to take people to Folly? The Buffalo South lot is mostly abandoned so why not have beach traffic park there and then ride out?
On the other hand I think Folly Beach has more pressing issues to worry about. Litter would be at the top of that list. Last night as I'm walking near the pier I couldn't even count how many soda cans and beer bottles were left on the beach. I'd be more worried over litter than I would if someones tire is six inches into the pavement.
ehmurr, Be careful what you wish for. I know you seem pleased to hear that many are no longer coming to Folly, but think of the effect it will have on local businesses. We had at least three restaurants go under last year and the Center St businesses seem to be recovering from the recession. I hope that the new restaurants can survive this winter when tourist traffic dies down, but if Folly Beach gets the reputation of being another Cottageville that will be subject to change.
wheels2u, They've been treating us (meaning surfers) as second-class citizens for quite some time now.
I know some of the local shop owners at Folly, and I always try to give my business to the local community whenever I can, but that's getting more difficult. There's an undercurrent going on at Folly and I don't like the looks of where I see this going. I just pray that we don't have another hurricane anytime soon. If that happens and we lose some of the older homes that have been there for decades then you can kiss Folly Beach good-bye. It will never be the same.
July 5, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ehmurr (anonymous) says...
My wish is not that people stop coming to Folly Beach but that they show respect. Is that so hard to do?
July 5, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ehmurr (anonymous) says...
Yeahright summed this subject up very nicely. Thank you.
July 5, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
follygirl (anonymous) says...
As a resident, I do get tired of people just parking in my yard, and I dont mean right on the edge, pulling right on up in my driveway, blocking my drive way, etc. Also, as a resident I practice what I was raised to do, pick up after myself, as do most of my neighbors. We dont want to live on a dirty beach or a dirty neighborhood. People come on the beach, park in places they shouldn't and leave their trash. Do they think we are their mothers and will pick up after them? If you cant be respectful, stay home! We are tired of walking on the beach, our backyard, and having to pick up after lazy, ignorant people. You should see the beach after firewords. Who do you people that are complaining think picks up after you?? I know locals who walk the beack every morning and all they do is pick up trash left by other people. Also, dont get me started on people who drive to beach to walk their dogs....
July 5, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RalphieParker (anonymous) says...
These complaints as residents are all understandable. It sounds more like the problem is your Mayor and city officials focusing their attention in the wrong direction.
Why is it that Sullivan's and IOP are so clean? You folks need to crawl up your elected officials rears and get them to hammer out a solution to these problems.
Parking tickets are for REVENUE ONLY. They aren't meant to correct bad behavior since so many people visiting the beach are tourist. Tourist visit and then leave and a new tourist takes their place. So no lesson is learned.
People parking on your property can be dealt with simply by calling a tow truck. You can have a vehicle towed off your property at the owner of the vehicle's expense. Same for vehicles ACTUALLY blocking the road, the police can tow it. If they only put a ticket on it then its probably not a real hazard.
Good things could be done with Folly but like I said before, did you people recovered from Hugo? It was in 1989 ya know...
July 5, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinapanther (anonymous) says...
Folly beach is a nasty and ugly place to live and visit.
July 5, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldandintheway (anonymous) says...
careful what you wish for cause you might just get it.
anybody want to say money fuels the public coffers ?
the bucks are needed to PAY the for the enforcement ,
but who ends up paying in the long run,
the residents of folly themselves, that's who.
where will you go to buy groceries and fuel,
you fools.
if all the local biz is drained due to the laws and nobody comes to spend any real money,
the town will really be in a BAD place.
wake up mayor, and get the crowds coming or you'll lose your job come next election to someone who will.
July 5, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Picky (anonymous) says...
I wasn't going to comment on this, but then I looked out my window and noticed a young man peeing in my neighbor's front yard. I'm now ready to pay whatever property taxes it takes to keep the disgusting, littering, rude, filthy, inconsiderate visitors off of Folly.
July 5, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
The people from Folly go to Charleston and guess what! They pay to park. The people from Charleston want to go to Folly, Folly has bills to pay, too.
You ride to the beach, you get out, you use the beach, and you go home. Half of you leave litter. Guess who keeps the beach nice and cleans up all the trash - Folly. Pay up or go somewhere else.
July 5, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterbug (anonymous) says...
Mayor are they cracking down on D U I also?? !!!! oops or is that off limits?
July 5, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
To those of you griping about the inconsiderate visitors...this is nothing new. I lived at Folly every summer for 17 years in my family's beach house. I remember people would come underneath our house to shower off !!! They would bring their kids and all. They'd park in our driveway, change clothes, unpack lunches...It was absurd. On a recent trip to Folly (near the Holiday Inn) it was an ashtray. Piles and piles of cigarettes everywhere. It was disgusting, you literally couldnt walk three steps without walking on cigarettes.
July 5, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyman (anonymous) says...
If they are going to charge a dollar an hour how about nice parking or showers. Just b/c you live at the beach it does not mean the beach is yours. It is everyones. It is public property. People from west ashely, summerville, goose creek have just as much right to go to the beach as you. They should not litter. They should respect peoples property. There is alot of trash that goes or lives at folly however. The people at the pier sometimes are crazy. They drink so much,and act like lunatics on a daily bases. I saw a guy passed out on the beach the other day with beer can all around him. He then got up and started pissing on the beach in front of a family. I used to love going to folly, but it has taken a trun for the worse. Hopefully that mayor won't last.
July 5, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
surfer (anonymous) says...
Yes, you have just as much right to the beach itself, but there's a simple solution to the issue. Park OFF the pavement and don't park facing the WRONG direction. It's the same at IOP. I lived on Folly for 24 years and you know how many tickets I received... ZERO! Why? Because if I parked at the washout I parked FACING THE RIGHT WAY. If I parked along East Artic I kept my WHEELS OFF THE PAVEMENT! What you don't realize is when your wheels are on the pavement your mirror sticks out at least 6 inches into the road. When someone gets their mirror clipped or car side swiped guess who gets blamed for it? The guy who can't park appropriately. On IOP you have to park 4 feet from the pavement. I'd say that's a little bit absurd honestly, but they also have a larger DOT easement on the sides of the road. If it was up to me we'd have the same rules, but we can't. You may think you're making a statement by not coming to Folly, but you're really only a tiny fish in a huge sea fully of other fishes willing to take your place. Have fun at IOP or Sullivan's or Edisto. You won't be missed.
July 5, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Uncle_John (anonymous) says...
I lived at Folly in the 80's. We called the overwhelming influx of summer visitors "terrorists" (instead of tourists). Like an oldtimer there used to say to inlanders who wanted to visit, "come after breakfast, bring your own lunch and leave before dinner."
July 5, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
swaying_palm (anonymous) says...
What a crock... Kudos to the mayor and the residents! You can at any time during the busy summer season sit back and watch the nonsense... People that drive an hour to come to the beach, FREAK THE !@##$ OUT when Folly Rd drops down to 2 lanes for the causeway. Once they hit center street and 4 lanes they think they are on I-26 only to travel a couple blocks... My beach is a dead end unlike Sullivan's and IOP, where do you think you are all going to go? I understand the draw, you come to the only beach you are legally allowed to DRINK (out of a plastic cup) and act like animals... The Public Safety Officers must at some times be overwhelmed by volume, and the County Deputies only help keep the town from imploding in anarchy! We already see on this thread residents complaining about lack of respect of private property regarded as public (parking in driveways), public urination, littering... the list goes on... why do you think these acts happen, because there are not enough cops, or they're lazy? Nope they are stuck in the same traffic as you. Ashley becomes a parking lot cause some yahoo parks (barely) on the roadway forcing traffic into the other lane, or an entire wedding party is trying to get to the coast guard base (where there is absolutely no parking). Or the cops are dealing with vehicle break-ins, alarms, and other CRIMES. The entire police force on folly is inadequate during the peak season, but the other side of the sword bites in the winter... The residents that have posted have the right idea, they don't want to put the toll gate back up they only request the day trippers and tourists respect their homes, and neighborhoods. Why don't we all grow up and accept the consequence of or actions...
Before the bashing kicks in, I enjoy meeting people who come and visit, and try to inform visitors when I see them do something they might get a ticket for. I am NOT a COP or A Parking Cop. I'm just a resident who's tired. We've all seen pictures of the beach back when the Ferris Wheel and go-cart track was there, and when you used to park ON THE BEACH. Imagine what the Coastal Conservation League would do if you parked on the beach now... The beach has changed, while some try to hold on to the laid back attitude others are trying to make it more day tripper friendly. I agree parking is an issue... There is not enough easily accessible parking. But until someone decides to level a lot, build a garage approved through council, and council BAN parking ALL on the street, Or the entire 25 ft from center line right of way is taken, paved and marked, these problems will exist.
July 5, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Southern_Cousin (anonymous) says...
I was at Folly two weekends ago and I saw a CCSD putting tickets on cars, then I noticed every single car parked along Artic, on the way to the park, had a ticket. Every single car!
When I moved here I had a few run-ins with the ticket deal, which seemed pretty arbitrary. I sent a FOIA letter to FBPD and ask them to provide me with every occasion they could give me a parking ticket for ....I got a letter back from Folly that was a bunch of BS and did not answer my question.
In my experience, the "signs" if they exist, are intentionally poorly posted, and the whole thing is a money grubbing experience for Folly. Yes, it is tacky, but Folly is a tacky place. The main beach reminds me most of a nickle carnival, but a real laid back (read: stoned) carnival.
I agree with previous comments - if they wanted to revenue raise, DUI tickets (for all the tacky drunk people leaving their tacky main beach after getting drunk in their tacky bars ) would be more appropriate than these "sneak attack" parking tickets - you know, guess what our rules are today? It is pretty obvious that at Folly, being drunk and driving drunk is okay, but if you are parked facing the wrong direction, it is BIG PROBLEM.
'Laid back' in the wrong direction is more like it. Do something about your drug and drunk driving problem, Folly, and maybe we can respect you again some day. And save the tickets for the "visitors" -duh!
July 5, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Folly Beach has never been completely right. It was questionable back in the 70s for different reasons. In this new world we live in, not only is TRASH not ashamed, it brags about it and calls itself a Mayor, A City Councilman...
July 5, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WSM (anonymous) says...
""Beckmann said Pendleton is in error, adding, "Some people's idea of marking is a marker every five feet.""
_____________________________________________
Or 20-30 feet on the other side of the parking area!
I can fully empathise with the Folly residents, as I have lived in a resort area, myself.
BUT...The beach is NOT Folly residents' sole property. It is the collective property of the entire state of S.C. You can thank the likes of John Locke and Anthony Ashley-Cooper for that when our constitution was formed before 1670. If you want to have a private beach, go take over a 20 acre island in the Carribean.
You moved to a public beach. Expect to see public beach things. Its called "freedom." We have it in this country, at least for now.
What's more, the majority of the people whining seem to be transplants. Not even natives. I guess your U-Haul should be the last one on Folly Beach, then?
July 5, 2009 at 10:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JIDave57 (anonymous) says...
As a 10 year resident of James Island and frequent Folly visitor, I don't see any evidence of increased parking enforcement this summer over 2008, which definitely was up from '07. There needs to be MORE enforcement and ticketing during the busy season. I see people parking like idiots every day, and littering is a serious problem also. Maybe the Folly officials could work out a community service program where parking scofflaws could work off the ticket cost by working on a litter pickup detail. Visitors to Folly ARE slobs, but unfortunately that problem is not unique to Folly. For what it's worth, I have no problem finding a parking spot any time of day, even near the pier, always park legally, and have never been ticketed. Getting to the island CAN be a problem during peak hours, one that I sometimes solve by riding a bike, which is easy, thanks to the great bike lanes on Folly Rd.
If you don't like the congestion and trash, by all means STAY AWAY. For me, it's worth putting up with a few inconveniences to enjoy the beauty that still can be found at Folly Beach
July 5, 2009 at 10:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
surfer (anonymous) says...
WSM you seem to be misinformed. Tbe BEACH ITSELF is public below the mean high water level. There is nothing in our state or federal constitutions entitling the public to any sort of convenient ACCESS to the beach. Now I fully agree with what you're implying that the beach should be accessible to all, and it is. The issue here is not beach access or even whether or not Folly is tacky (to each his own, Folly has always been a bit more laid back, hippy-ish, "stoned", or whatever you want to call it). Those are things you debate over a beer in your backyard after you've been at the beach all day and you want to relax with a few friends over some fresh steaks on the grill.
What the article DOES address is the fact that regulations are useless unless enforced. It is simple. Pay attention to the signage (which is adequate. There was a no parking on pavement sign IN MY YARD the entire time I lived them and there was at least one sign per block), don't park facing the wrong direction (which is illegal at ALL of the beaches, and across the country), and use common sense. Unfortunately people who are temporary visitors to all of our area beaches don't follow the final and arguably most important point in that last sentence. I've spent the vast majority of my life on that island and the only tickets I have gotten are in the past two years for not feeding the meter (two in a year and a half) and it was entirely my fault. If you disagree with the meters then you should have gone with me years ago to protest them at the City Council meetings. In my opinion you have no real say in the matter. No excuses.
July 5, 2009 at 11:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dm (anonymous) says...
Folly will enforce absurd parking regulations but not their laws and contracts requiring protection of the beaches and dunes from destruction. But, when these new houses out beyond the renourishment line need protection from high tides guess who will pay? The federal government taxpayers, not the Folly politicians who ignored their duty not to allow construction in the dunes.
July 6, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RedHorse7 (anonymous) says...
I drive out to Folly Beach occasionally and have "my own little parking spot". I found it by accident. However, along the way, I passed numerous cars parked halfway in the road and facing the wrong direction. I didn't see a ticket on any of them. I agree with the residents. I wouldn't want people parking in my yard or blocking my driveway. If a poophead blocked my driveway, I'd call a tow truck. That's much more expensive than a parking ticket, plus you have to find where your car has been taken. I don't park near the pier because that's where all the congestion is. During a recent moonlight stroll, I witnessed a guy peeing under the boardwalk and he wasn't shy about. I had out-of-town relatives with me and a 2-year old. The peeing was bad enough but the language was vulgar. Too bad there isn't a "profanity police".
July 6, 2009 at 1:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LowcountryLady (anonymous) says...
I live on Folly and constantly see cars parked FEET in the road without tickets. We started the summer with a car completely blocking our driveway and end up with cars/trucks sliding into our yard weekly. We'd call a tow truck every weekend if it didn't take an hour for the truck to arrive. Don't know how to park correctly, we applaud you for going to another "better" beach. Figure it out or get out!
July 6, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charles_Town (anonymous) says...
This is kind of funny usually people are crying out do not make new laws enforce what is already there, and now that one town is doing that people are crying foul again. If you know something is against the law and could get you a ticket don't do it.
July 6, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhalfen (anonymous) says...
Coming from Baltimore, MD, I've been to Isle Of Palms, Sullivan's Island, and Folly Beach, and I don't think the bums who litter and act like schmucks at Folly would be desired by either of the "nicer" locations, either! Folly just has the misfortune of drawing the drinking crowd. (I would have said something harsh to the diaper-changer mentioned above by ballachulish, especially as a _visitor_!) Honestly, they should change that (why would you go to a beach to drink, anyway? -- stupid, silly nonsense for college kids who don't know any better...), but then the "ticket revenue" (er, sales?) would clearly go down. ;^)
Seriously, the place needs better management and oversight! The mayor & co. aren't interested in "fixing" the _real_ problems, apparently.
July 6, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
dhalfen, Check the recent news for Monday. Apparently one of the restaurants got robbed and the thieves had to climb ten feet and then drill a hole to do it. How on earth someone could get by with that and nobody see them is beyond me.
I wouldn't worry about it though. Now that parking tickets are being written one after another I feel so much safer. I may not even bother locking my wallet in the glove box next time I head to the beach.
July 6, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smithdr2 (anonymous) says...
Folly's a joke. They have custom tickets printed up just to administer for parking. It has about 8 to 10 violations. In some towns wouldn't even be considered. My daughter got a ticket. Tires were off the road but the mirror was sticking out too far & facing the wrong way on a 2 way st. BS. If I was a cop in another district I'd make sure I raise any ticket 4 times as much for anyone with a folly address.
July 6, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
smithdr, Or raise the points. That hurts even worse with insurance rates.
As much as I like some of the local businesses and the people who run them I would prefer to take my business elsewhere until they remove that piece of **** they call a mayor. When they started charging people to park at the washout I knew that Folly Beach was heading in the wrong direction.
July 6, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I think Folly Beach has the perfect name. The last time I went to the wash out, I couldn't find any of those parking ticket machines that worked. They probably need the ticket revenue to pay the cost and maintenance of them.
July 6, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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