TREASURE ISLAND – Students on spring break will see a stronger presence by police this year in Sunset Beach, Treasure Island Police Chief Tim Casey told city commissioners during a Feb. 2 workshop.
Casey said stepped up law enforcement in the area of Caddy’s on the Beach will begin in early March and would most likely continue through the summer season.
“Unlike last year, when we slowly built up, we’re starting out with a large build-up,” Casey said.
Beach patrols will start March 6 with four officers dedicated exclusively for that purpose. Four other officers will circulate in and out of Sunset Beach and a new community officer, who will be assigned primarily to Sunset Beach, will be a mainstay both in uniform and plain clothes.
Three of the nine officers will be paid for by Caddy’s owner Tony Amico, as part of an agreement with the city for improved weekend patrols.
Casey said the community officer has not been selected but will come from within the current members of the department. In addition to patrolling the West Gulf Boulevard area, the officer will be involved in the Sunday night drum circle and general traffic enforcement.
Other plain clothes officers will help the community officer on weekends to enforce liquor law violations.
“The biggest change this year is that we will be transporting people to jail if it’s a violation of the law,” said Casey. “Last year we issued appearance (citations) but we won’t be doing that any more. It’s a visible effect that should be very effective.”
The public beach around Caddy’s has been a problem area in the past for heavy drinking and rowdiness by young adults and teens. Residents in the area have complained of public drunkenness and public urination.
“We’re meeting with Mr. Amico about some changes to his property (to help curb some of the nearby issues),” said Casey.
He said Amico has agreed to install 10 porta-potties on Caddy’s property to help with the overflow and lines outside restrooms at his establishment.
“Quite frankly,” said Casey, “we think that will have an impact on the number of calls for public urination.”
In addition, police plan to install video cameras on city property on the north and south sides of Caddy’s. The cameras will allow officers in the city’s communication center to monitor activity in the area and assign additional officers when necessary.
Another camera will be mounted in the former county park on Gulf Boulevard and another on a bridge leading out to the island.
Casey said the four cameras cost $9,800 and would be purchased with police forfeiture funds.
A revised parking plan for residential streets on Sunset Beach is still in the planning stages, Casey said.
Parking has been an issue on weekends when homeowners have complained about not being able to get in or out of their driveways.
On another issue, commissioners decided to further research a request by the Isle of Palms Civic Association to place a storage shed for Christmas decorations at Triangle Park, off 112th Avenue.
The shed and installation would be paid for by the association, said former Mayor Julian Fant, representing the association’s interests.
The park site is leased to the city by private interests.
Commissioners were set to move forward on the request before City Attorney Maura Kiefer expressed reservations about a private entity operating on a parcel leased by the city.
Earlier in the discussion, City Manager Reid Silverboard said since the city leases from a private party, the association would need to get the approval of the land owner for a building permit to be issued.
He said neither a site plan or a variance would be necessary, but a setback requirement would have to be met.
