Point Reyes Light - December 12, 2002
Supes to eye Bo camper ban
By Chez Shadman
The Bolinas camping ordinance, which began in May of 2001 after months of deliberations throughout the community, has nearly reached the end of its two-year trial period and will soon be up for renewal. Bolinas, the last coastal community in Northern California to have unregulated beaches, was forced to impose the ordinance due to excessive noise complaints and gratuitous violence by the beach’s nocturnal visitors, many of whom were not local.
While the ban on camping didn’t expel camping entirely, it did put a halt to violence on the beaches county officials said.
"This action has been highly successful," said Supervisor Steve Kinsey of the decrease in Sheriff’s calls, most notably, noise complaints. "I think we threaded the needle on this one."
Members of the community of Bolinas are pleased with the results of the ordinance and have submitted petitions in favor of renewing the ordinance exactly as it stands.
A county hearing on Monday, Jan. 6 will determine whether the ordinance is renewed.