Swiping beach rocks will cost you $250 in this Massachusetts town
A Massachusetts town wants to stop people from stealing its beach.
Westport added a new bylaw last week that imposes a $250 fine for taking rocks or vegetation from town beaches, reports South Coast Today.
Beach Committee member Sean Leach is fed up with people swiping attractive stones and plants to decorate homes.
“When I see landscapers filling up the back of dump trucks, it gets a little disturbing what is going on. … It has almost gotten completely out of control,” South Coast Today reported Leach said at the annual Town Meeting.
Leach has heard resource harvesters justify their actions by claiming that buying rocks through a dealer is too expensive, they want local stones, or their child needs specimens for a science project, South Coast Today reports.
He said winter berries and other plants are used in holiday decorations.
Leach said the goal is not to nab kids taking a souvenir but to prevent companies and homeowners from loading up with free landscaping supplies, South Coast Today reported.
Signs, cameras and patrols will be used for enforcement.
Steven Adams is a Tribune-Review manager/photography. You can contact Steven at sadams@triblive.com.
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