Galveston to keep the spring break party in check

Josh Leuchtag, of Houston, reaches for a frisbee as he enjoys some sunshine with his girlfriend Lacey Truelove, of Houston, Tuesday, March 13, 2012, on the beach by Seawall Boulevard in Galveston. Leuchtag says that he and his friends are staying in Galveston for the rest of his Spring Break. less Josh Leuchtag, of Houston, reaches for a frisbee as he enjoys some sunshine with his girlfriend Lacey Truelove, of Houston, Tuesday, March 13, 2012, on the beach by Seawall Boulevard in Galveston. Leuchtag ... more Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close Galveston to keep the spring break party in check 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

With safety and respect for the environment in mind, Galveston police have announced plans for extra patrols on the island's west end for spring break.

Spring breakers gravitate to both ends of the island, but the wider expanses on the west end mean that visitors are more spread out, police said, making it possible for violations to go unobserved.

Extra enforcement efforts will remain in effect for the "next several weeks," police said Wednesday.

"The main focus of these efforts will assure that Galveston's beaches remain safe and that citizens and visitors alike respect those areas of the beach that are ecologically protected," Chief Henry Porretto said in a news release.

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A common violation, both during spring break and other vacation times, is driving or parking vehicles on sand dunes. It's a Class C offense, and violators are subject to citations or arrest, said Sgt. Joseph Schirard, a Galveston Police Department spokesman.

Officers and residents often see visitors bringing all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes to the beaches, with the apparent intention to "ride the dunes," although it's illegal.

Officers patrolling the west end will work to make sure that visitors park and drive vehicles only where they are permitted. All publicly accessible beaches have areas that are marked to show where vehicles, including golf carts, are allowed to drive and park as well as where they are not allowed.

"The beach's dunes are an integral part of protecting the island's ecological balance and are the first line of defense against beach erosion and tidal surge from coastal storms," the chief's statement said.