New Curfew Aims to Enhance Safety

AVALON, CATALINA ISLAND - Late last week the Conservancy and Two Harbors Enterprises (THE), which manages Little Harbor, acted on community feedback and implemented an extended curfew. The new curfew prohibits unsupervised minors from being in the interior from sunset to sunrise.

"It was one of a number of suggestions that the Island community has shared with us over the course of several meetings," said Conservancy President Ann Muscat. "We considered with our colleagues at THE which suggestions from the community and other ideas we may implement that could enhance safety without having a far-reaching negative impact on access.

"We think that extending the curfew is a change that has the potential to meet both of those goals."

Another suggestion had been to reiterate rules and regulations to those who may use the beaches.

"It was noted during one of the meetings that although the rules appear on permits, it would be helpful to review them from time to time," said Leslie Baer, the Conservancy's communications officer. 

"One idea was to see if the newspapers would be willing to publish them on a yearly basis, and another, was to post them where people would be reminded more regularly. We're thankful to both of Catalina's newspapers whose publishers have kindly agreed to provide those rules."

Last Saturday, signs reviewing a dozen general rulesincluding the new curfew - were posted at Shark Harbor, Little Harbor and points of entry to the interior. "While we have tried to be sensitive to the desire to keep the beaches free of signage to preserve a more natural experience, signage that may enhance safety needs to take precedent," Baer said.

Lt. Pat Hunter of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Avalon, said that he and his deputies will "work closely to assist trained Ranger staff and volunteers of the Conservancy and THE to enforce posted rules, as well as to enforce state laws." Additionally, counsel for the Conservancy and Los Angeles County are discussing the applicability of Los Angeles County ordinances in the Island's interior. While County and Conservancy counsel are still discussing details, both Lt. Hunter and Conservancy leadership say they are committed to seeking enhancements to public safety.

"We are in agreement on the wisdom of the new curfew, and of course fully support Lt. Hunter's enforcement of state laws," said Mel Dinkel, the Conservancy's chief operating officer. "We appreciate that he and his officers have been available on call to assist our Rangers, and we look forward to continuing to work together to enhance safety in the interior."

"We all want our kids and those who visit our Island to be safe," noted Hunter. "In my experience, both the Island community and the Conservancy are committed, as we are, to enhancing safety. The Sheriff's Department will continue to pursue that goal using all appropriate means."

RULES AND REGULATIONS AT CAMPGROUNDS AND ON BEACHES
The following rules and regulations apply to all Catalina Island beaches and campgrounds except in Avalon and at Two Harbors:

• PERMIT REQUIRED  No camping (call 310-510-8368), hiking, biking, driving or commercial filming/ photography (call 310-510-2595) is > allowed in Catalina's Interior without a permit.
• CURFEW FOR MINORS - No unsupervised minor is allowed in the Interior from sunset to sunrise. A supervised minor is defined as a person under the age of 18 who is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an adult at least 25 years of age or older authorized by said parent or guardian to have care and custody of the minor and who will assume full responsibility for said minor at all times.
• ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - Under-age drinking is unlawful. The law will be strictly enforced and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
• SWIMMING  No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.
• HOOK-UPS - No electrical hook-ups.
• FIRE PRECAUTIONS - In accordance with the L.A. County Fire Code, fires and smoking are permitted in the BBQ and fire ring areas only.
• WEAPONS - Firearms, archery equipment, traps or other hunting equipment are strictly prohibited.
• PROTECTIONS  All plants and animals are protected. Do not feed or disturb wildlife. Additionally, tree cutting, wood gathering, plant collection or in any way removing or defacing any natural or manmade feature is prohibited. " PRECAUTIONS  Buffalo and other wildlife are unpredictable, wild, and potentially dangerous. Keep your distance. Be alert for rattlesnakes, ticks and poison oak.
• QUIET HOURS  Campground and beach quiet hours are between 10 p.m.  and 8 a.m. Loud or amplified sound or music, or radios are not allowed at any time.
• PETS  Sorry, no pets are allowed in campgrounds or on beaches except leashed at Cottonwood, Ben Weston and Shark Harbor. Pets must be vaccinated.
• NO LITTERING - Trash cans are provided in camping areas, which must be left clean, with all refuse in trash cans. Use separate containers for recyclable materials when provided.