A proposal to set up a police tent this summer at Wreck Beach has upset defenders of Vancouver’s world-famous nude enclave.

Sgt. Drew Grainger of UBC RCMP says his detachment intends to pitch a collapsible tent each afternoon from the May long weekend to Labour Day as a public-safety measure — not to bust law-abiding beachgoers.

“We know drugs and alcohol will be sold on the beach no matter how heavy-handed we are,” said Grainger. “The idea is to proactively enhance our presence on the beach.

“If it gets to the point where you’re risking yourself or putting others at risk, we will move in.”

Judy Williams of the Wreck Beach Preservation Society said the beach people have successfully policed themselves for decades, and the only dangerous party animals are the boozing boaters who buzz the beach.

“We really are an extended family — we look after the downtrodden,” said Williams, who’s been fighting for beach rights since 1969.

“This has been a sacred place for millennia.

“The beach people don’t want a police presence.

“We have a good relationship with the police, but we disagree on this.”

Grainger said the problem is those who consume drugs or alcohol in excess at the remote beach.

“There are 465 steps (leading up from the beach to Marine Drive). It’s onerous to remove someone who’s had too much,” said Grainger, who said each and every officer will be assigned to the beach beat — “everyone from our detachment commander to our freshest recruit.”

While Williams disagrees with the police presence upgrade, she sees a silver lining — police radioing marine patrol to bust the boaters and Jet-Skiers who often come by for a peek or even travel inside the designated swim floats.

“I don’t approve. We don’t approve,” said Williams. “I’ve tried to talk to Drew Grainger until I’m blue in the face.

“But the biggest benefit would be getting rid of the Jet-Skis.”

Grainger and his fellow officer Cpl. Brenda Winpenny strolled the strand Monday, as the clothing-optional crowd chose many options — naked skimboarding and Frisbee, semi-clothed soccer, even fully clothed spectators trying to be discreet as they surveyed the scenery.

Asked about patrolling with a large crowd in various states of undress, Winpenny said: “Everyone is treated the same. We’re not here to be heavy-handed. I think people will realize the fact that we’re here to ensure that everybody can enjoy the beach. We’re here to build a relationship.”

The idea of a tent for cops to stake out the beach didn’t go swimmingly with some of the nudists Monday.

“Everybody’s been down here for years,” said “Croc,” a local fixture.

“We see things before they go down.

“We see the people who are being jerks. We confront them, and they don’t come back.”

A Province photographer began taking photos of the officers with a couple of young stark-naked women lying in the background.

That prompted a group of young men nearby to tease the women.

“You’re going to be famous,” they laughed.

Garments and tie-dyed materials were being offered for sale. A sign advertised “Deluxe Dog” and “Gourmet Wedge.”

A heavily tanned man, nude except for a belt with a money pouch, carries two coolers of refreshments for sale.

“Having a police tent is a ridiculous, unnecessary idea,” said an angry woman who refers to herself as “Swims With Seals.”

“I don’t think a police tent has to be installed. Maybe they can just use an umbrella.”

Grainger said that if any officers act less than professionally at the beach, they will be re-assigned.

“Did you like the view?” one young woman asked Winpenny flirtatiously, apparently reacting to the sight of a female officer in uniform.

The smell of marijuana wafted by regularly, but Grainger and Winpenny simply shrugged their shoulders.

“After decades of patrolling this beach,” Grainger said, “we know we can’t ticket and arrest our way out of this.”

iaustin@theprovince.com

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