HOLMES BEACH – Visitors to local beaches may have a surprise if they park on city streets, at beach accesses or along the right of way. Beginning at 6 a.m. on April 10, Holmes Beach police officers will tow violators at the violator’s expense.
A press release from the HBPD on April 9 stated that all city parking would be closed, except that on private property, to discourage people from congregating at the beach. All Manatee County beaches, including Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach, remain closed to the public.
In an April 9 conversation with The Sun, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said that the decision to close the remaining parking at beach accesses, along with street and right of way parking, was made after officers witnessed a larger than normal amount of people on the beach April 8. She said the point is to discourage people from coming to the beach and, rather than issuing a parking ticket that a driver may dismiss or ignore, officers will be towing the vehicles at the owner’s expense.
“Anyone who is illegally parked will be towed,” she said.
To help with outreach for the new parking regulations, Titsworth said that new banners had been purchased to place throughout the city to inform residents and visitors of the penalties for parking illegally.
She added that while she understands that people may feel “cooped up” staying at home, it’s still very important for everyone to stay home as much as possible and practice social distancing when they go out to stop the spread of coronavirus.
According to an emergency directive issued by Titsworth on April 9, the new parking regulations will continue through midnight April 30 unless terminated through the official action of the mayor.
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