Two Amagansett Beaches Consider Banning Alcohol

Hey, remember those packs of 20-somethings from the city and up island who swarmed Indian Wells beach last summer to get wasted and act like rowdy derps? Who's looking forward to seeing them again this summer? Anybody?

East Hampton Town Counclilwoman Sylvia Overby certainly isn't feeling nostalgic for those crazy kids and their shenanigans. She recently proposed a ban on alcohol during the summer season on Indian Wells and Atlantic Avenue beaches in Amagansett according to 27East .

The ban was to be instituted to address the increasing number of complaints about alcohol-related incidents, over-flowing trash cans, and loud parties that have come to define these once pristine beaches.

However, the proposal was temporarily shelved at a public hearing last week when Town Trustee Diane McNally said there were jurisdictional impediments to enacting the law and further review would be necessary.

The ban would have eliminated drinking alcoholic beverages within a range of 2,500 feet from the lifeguard station during the hours when guards were on duty eliminating the most egregious consumption of alcohol on the beach during the hours when families and children are most likely to be out enjoying the beach.

East Hampton town code already prohibits consuming alcohol in public places, but each beach must have the restrictions posted and then enforced and the issue of trustee jurisdiction is a an ancient and sacred right dating back to Colonial times so careful and further consideration is necessary or the proposed ban would have doubtful validity.

Councilwoman Overby is fine with waiting to explore the options. But, as she pointed out, East Hampton Town beaches are magnets for boozy partiers, because the town is the only municipality in the area that allows alcohol on the beach.

East Hampton town code already prohibits consuming alcohol in public places, but each beach must have the restrictions posted and then enforced and the issue of trustee jurisdiction is a an ancient and sacred right dating back to Colonial times so careful and further consideration is necessary or the proposed ban would have doubtful validity. 

An open container law allows a great deal of latitude to drinkers no matter whether their preference may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. If the behavior elicited by the imbibers indicates alcohol may be in the mix isn't it logical to confiscate the offending beverage? What do you think?