Ocean Isle Beach increases noise disturbance fines to keep parties from bothering residents

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Spring break is right around the corner and one beach town will start cracking down harder on visitors who cause too much noise.

Ocean Isle Beach has increased its noise ordinance fines from $100 to $1000 for the first offense.

Board members who voted to increase the fines say high school and college students partying is the main reason for the increase.

Over the coming weeks, police will start increasing patrols on and near the beach, with students first given a warning and then fined if police have to return.

Ocean Isle Beach mayor Debbie Smith said the people of Ocean Isle Beach seem fine with keeping such parties out of the town.

“I don’t think the businesses on Ocean Isle Beach, nor the homeowners on Ocean Isle Beach want those kind of occupants in their house,” Smith said. “When you get that many kids together, there’s more chance of destruction and damage to your property. So I think, I’ve not heard one homeowner say they were upset about it.”

Fines won’t be given out for noise disturbances until 10 pm.

Smith said that will still allow families to spend time outside during the evening.

The fine period will end at 7:30 in the morning.