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Beach Barbed Wire

By Pat Peterson Reporter

Orange Beach surfers upset after condo puts up barbed wire on property Beach Barbed Wire

Published: Fri, March 21, 2008 - 4:05 pm Last Updated: Fri, March 21, 2008 - 4:47 pm

Pat Peterson

Surfers in Orange Beach say it's nearly impossible for them to catch a wave! Beachfront condos have put up fences and "No Trespassing" signs to keep people off their property, but the surfers says one condo has gone a little too far in their efforts to keep them out.

"We're people, not cattle," says surfer Mike Tamburello. "It's a safety issue, one of us could get hurt."

Owners of the Summer Breeze Condominiums have put up barbed wire along the property's west wall. Surfers say they use the wall as a short-cut to the beach and say other beach access points are too crowded and hard to get to.

"We're not farm animals," says Maggie Caver. "We're kids, you don't need to put up barbed wire to keep us out, they don't own the beach, it's everyone's beach, it's a public place and should be enjoyed by everyone."

A Summer Breeze property owner told News 5 the barbed wire was put up because the condo is privately owned. Surfers we spoke to say they'll take their fight to Summer Breeze Property Owner's Association and to City Hall.

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figdudas Says:

Sat, Mar 22, 2008 at 1:25 pm

Typical actions from beach trash (condo owners). the beach was an “oasis of beauty” during the 60’s and 70’s. the courtesy and hospitality of the locals made it worth visiting. after the developers began their “development jihad”, the area became infiltrated with beach trash (condo owners). vacation elsewhere to avoid contact with this slime.

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surferjoe Says:

Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 8:13 pm

Oh poor soul, ALocal is really not local at all. He is the same old fart that had skateboarding turned into a criminal activity in Fairhope.

Go back to the northern values you represent, you sad old snowbird.... The beach belongs to Alabama. Surfers are apart of the people that make up Alabama. They are only going to grow in numbers, so you better get ready to deal with us. Treat them nice and they will be your lifeguards. Put barb wire up, and they will get your rich stingy snob butt on the news.

As for the laws you might want to check them out yourself. You would definetely be surprised. Setbacks ring a bell. Is the fire department going to go around the barb wire too.

If they put barb wire around the botox clinic, do you think ALOCAL would feel the same way after his wife couldn’t get to her treatments. Obviously not, considering ALOCAL skipped childhood and went straight to a rich old snob.

Kids should be encouraged to surf, no barbed out from it.

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Mercedes Says:

Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 7:03 pm

It’s really said how these condo owners think they own the Gulf. The beach access down south is a shame. The West Coast doesn’t let hotels and condos get away with that type of stuff. I guess you can chock it up to “Southern Hospitality” or maybe “Bible Belt brotherly love”. With a Church on just about every corner, I would expect more.

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ALocal Says:

Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 5:23 pm

Oh, poor souls. They just don’t want to go through the trouble to get to the surf but they will fight city hall for it?! Yep, sounds like a surfer. Yes the beach is for everyone so surfers need to share it just like everyone else. Besides, they need to check out the State law regarding beach property and just where the beach becomes public access, they might be surprised. (I really don’t think they want to take on the State).

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