Letter from Calabash Resident to SB Town Council

February 23, 2011


Ladies and Gentlemen,

 My name is Barry Hirsch and I am a resident of Calabash.

My wife and I moved from New York to Calabash specifically because of the beautiful beach at Sunset. As natives from Brooklyn and Queens we had access to Coney Island, Brighton Beach, the Rockaways and if we wanted to travel a little, Jones Beach. As a youngster going to the beach with my family during the summer season we knew that if we wanted to not get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and also find a spot to park we needed to leave early. Experience taught us that. And that same experience will teach others just as when the old swing bridge was up to leave early or there won't be any spaces to park.


 As a retired New York City Police lieutenant I can tell you that simple enforcement will cure any parking ills quickly as word gets out that you either park legally or you will be summonsed. It seems to have worked for the three summers that we have utilized the beach thus far. There were certain streets we knew to go to first where there were a few spots that were usually available even when we happened to get to the beach a little later than we planned and if there were no legit spots available we went home. We certainly noticed that cars that had parked illegally, for example with their tires on the roadway, were summonsed. An expensive lesson learned but one no doubt not to be repeated. And no doubt that experience was shared with others. 


If the reputation of the area and police are such, people will know that parking enforcement is to be taken seriously and problems will be negligible. I know this to be fact.


 I respectfully request that before any draconian measures be put into effect that will negatively affect all those that do not live in Sunset Beach but that respect the parking regulations that are already in effect, try waiting a summer season with strict police enforcement and see how it works out. Please feel free to contact me for further discussion of the matter.  


  Respectfully, Barry Hirsch


SB Town Council response:


Mr. Hirsch ...
Thank you for your email. I couldn’t agree more that strict and consistent enforcement of our laws is paramount and Council has given that direction to our Chief. She will instruct her officers to do so and I agree that will have an impact.

We will officially adopt some new regulations at our March 7 Council meeting and as time goes forward and further investigation is undertaken we will review the remaining recommendations of the Parking Committee.

It is my hope and I know of others on the Council that we make the best decisions possible for the greater good.

I hope you continue to enjoy our fabulous beach.
KarenKaren Joseph