WHAT'S THE NEWS? MARINES CRACKDOWN ON TRESPASSERS AT SAN ONOFRE BEACH

06/04/05 – We received an email from Alan Bayliss, President of Friends of San Onofre Beach, informing us that the marines at Camp Pendleton, adjacent and just to the south of the nude beach there, are seriously cracking down on trespassers.

The base has a new Commanding General who has directed his MPs to be more aggressive on issuing citations, primarily for security and safety reasons: the bluffs are unstable in certain areas, there are unexploded ordnances there, and the beach it is under the flight path of military helicopters.

The commander stated that there will be more sweeps of the base, and that they are working on improved signage to be erected at the north boundary. Additionally, any person who has had a prior citation for trespassing on the base will have a much more difficult time dealing with the issue in court on second and subsequent occasions. It also bears noting that giving false information to a federal law enforcement officer (MP) is a serious matter as well.

Alan said they had a very productive conversation. Friends of San Onofre Beach has always discouraged visitors from entering the marine base and will continue to do so. “We have always stood firm in upholding the standards of nude beach etiquette and informing people that lewd conduct on the beach is illegal and will not be tolerated.”

The commander said he would educate his MPs that there was no legal basis for issuing citations for “indecent exposure” to persons who were simply nude, and gave him the California Supreme Court case info on the subject. But the commander warned the MPs will continue to issue citations for trespassing on the base!

Affiliated with the Southern California Naturist Association (SCNA) 23679 Calabasas Rd #160 Calabasas CA 91302-1502 (818) 225-2273