The holiday weekend brought boaters out to our waters. In Carolina Beach, finding parking was a problem.
Boaters say there's never enough parking at the state-owned parking lot just off the Snow's Cut Bridge. It provides access to the wildlife boat ramp. When boaters can't find a space, they're forced to improvise.
"We've had a problem in parking in this boat ramp I guess, for about two, I say a good year," James Lucas, a commercial fisherman who's truck and boat trailer were towed this weekend.
Lucas says parking is even more challenging during holiday weekends, when lots of people hit the water. Parking spots are clearly marked. There's a section for single cars and another for trucks with trailers. But at the Wildlife boat ramp, many say there's not enough room, and people get creative with parking.
"Single cars parking over here where truck trailers are supposed to park not over there where they supposed to park and its not giving us no room to park over there," Fred Jones who's car was towed this weekend, said.
Lucas and Jones both had their trucks and trailers towed memorial day weekend when they parked illegally in spots where only single cars should park. They say its unfair.
"They didn't get a ticket for parking in our spots but we got a ticket for parking in theirs," Lucas said.
To retrieve the vehicles? $240. Where did the money go? Right into the towing company's pocket.
"The tow truck guy is the only guy that makes the money," Lucas said, "There's potholes in the landing, there's no place to park."
The towing company, Coastal Recovery, chose to not comment on camera, but said Lucas and Jones broke the law and should be required to pay.
NewsChannel 3 called local towing companies to compare the fee and 250 dollars is a competitive price tow a pick-up and a boat trailer. Lucas says he's willing to hand over the cash but not to the towing company.
"I would have rather got a ticket and put money back in to the state so that I knew that we would have the resources to do something about the parking lot," Lucas said.
The state is trying to do something about the lot. Officials at the Engineering Division of the state Wildlife Committee say there just aren't enough funds to expand. A meeting is scheduled for Thursday to try to develop creative solutions.
towing cars, trucks & trailers
My family and I are fairly new here and I think alot of things that CBPD and other law enforcement agencies do here are a little shady. The towing at the wildlife area should not be left up to just one of the good-ol-boys who just happens to be buddy-buddy with the police dept. Maybe a group of towing companies on a rotating schedule should be used. This would be fair to all the local towing companies and not limited to one person rapeing the people who come to
"PLEASURE ISLAND" for a family weekend. If we continue to piss these people off they may realize that there are other beaches that they can visit; Then who wins?, not the towing companies, not the bait shops, the other beaches win! Maybe this will remove the fog over our "Mickey Mouse" police depts. eyes, and give way to a real "Pleasure Island".
It is STATE OWNED. OUT OF CBPD JURISDICTION
That property is STATE OWNED.
If a crime wasw not taking place then local police had NO authority. Only NC Wildlife, State Park, or State Highway patrol would have had the authority. Last time I checked parking was not a misdemeanor.. Why was a city police patroling and enforcing laws on state owned property? Perhaps WWAY could look into this.. ?
Who from the state sighne authority to the tow truck company ? Gotta love them municipality glory dogs ....
incorrect informatin
The last time I checked, violations on "state owned" property were the responsibility of several agencies. Just because the state owns it, CBPD, or Leland by the sea PD as it is affectionately known, has authority to enforce local, STATE, and federal laws there. If someone is shot there, you think wildlife is going to investigate it. No. A wreck in the parking lot, guess who. CBPD. You may not agree that they have authority, but they do. And to answer your question, "why was city police patrolling and enforcing laws on state owned property?", to show a presence and try to prevent vehicles from being broken into while the boaters are out enjoying the water. That's the main reason. Just one other. That's what they get paid to do.
Leland by the Sea????
Hey Mr. Stupid!!
How dare you compare Leland to Carolina Beach!! Does Carolina Beach have a Wal-Mart and an Arby's??? I think not!!! Maybe Maco by the Sea!!!
shady goverment
carolina beach goverment has allways been a joke i lived there for ten years i got wise and moved off of the island. there police force dont even attempt to drive off of the island after 12 midnight.they need probale cause to pull you they hide this by stating that the dispatcher gave the wrong info on your tag thats there loophole folks for an illegal search you;ll get a dwi driving while innocent in the hope that they will get that chance offender.we need law enforcement, not there brand of make the laws as you go.the next time that this happens to me i will seek legal action against this dept. cheif younger your officers have been put on notice.leave the law abiding citizens alone, wolfpacking snows cut bridge shows that you are not patroling the residential areas
hahahahahhaahahaha the
hahahahahhaahahaha the police officers have been put on notice, your a joke to even say something like this. you can try to take up legal action with a police department but ur gonna have to find a lawyer thats not gonna laugh u out of his office. on notice hahahahahaha by the way what is wolf packing, this whole post is a joke. the officers are out there doing their jobs. Hey i got a suggestion for you. If you don't want to be in trouble, then don't do anything thats gonna get you into trouble!
Moved
We're glad you moved to, sounds like you beleive the law is to be obeyed by someone other than you.
Wildlife had these vehicles
Wildlife had these vehicles towed, CBPD had nothing to do with this!
Price of illiteracy
The fee is the price of illiteracy, they chose not to read the no parking signs so now they have to pay. Boo hoo.
Boo Hoo
wah wahwah wwah wah wah wa. You were the one who called the tow company weren't you?
could be
Maybe, maybe not but you'll think about it next time you park where you are not supposed to. Don't be mad because you got caught, be mad because you did it to yourself.
Parking
I don't go to Carolina Beach in season because of the prohibitive parking. I drive through on my way to the free beaches of Kure and Fort Fisher. I got my $20.00 welcome to Carolina Beach notice while shopping and have not been back since. Pay parking and restricted parking are not helpful to me they are very simply a profit center for local (or State) organizations which are already well funded just not well managed. Also, I have no use for people like you who cause problems for those around you. Oh, and you can do it to yourself.
defending my rights
I WAS ONE OF THEM THAT GOT TOWED AND TO TELL YOU ,WE WERE PARKED IN THE RIGHT PLACE,THERE WERE NO-SIGNS THAT SAID NO-PARKING,SO WE DIDNT GET WHAT WE DESERVED,WE GOT GLUDGED!!!!!!!!!!!!
RE: Defending my rights
If you got towed illegally... sorry to say no shock there but hey,
there is a beautiful beach about 30 miles south of here with lots of parking and waterway access. Sunset Beach.
Clean, family type beach, lots of restaurants.
Come spend your money further south, we don't mind!!
waaaa
Waaa, we got caught. It's not my fault. I wanna blame somebody else for my actions. Don't hold me responsible for what I do. I'm just like a child that got caught doing something they are not supposed to be doing.
This Planet
OK you... off this planet. You are like a child caught doing something you are not supposed to be doing alright.
boo hoo 4 u 2
Again, don't be mad you got caught, be mad you did it to yourself and learn how to read to avoid it in the future. Momma always said education was expensive but ignorance is priceless. I didn't get caught nor did I do anything I wasn't supposed to do.
Why are you all busting on
Why are you all busting on CBPD when they had nothing to do with any vehicles getting towed. North Carolina Wildlife Resources does all the towing at the boat ramp. Before you go bashing somebody, get your facts straight. Also, if you are worried about getting stopped, don't break the law and you have nothing to worry about. Being in Law Enforcement, I have noticed that the people that complain about being "harrased" are the ones that are doing something wrong. Sorry for the rant, but I really hate ignorance.
CBPD
Amen