Florida Department of Transportation and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office officials are fed up with some of the activity going on Gandy Beach, so now they're warning potential violators.



Old tires, abandoned boats, literally tons of trash: FDOT officials said that’s what Gandy Beach is turning into.



“Really, for years we’ve been battling a lot of issues out there,” FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson said.



Carson said $300 per week is spent cleaning up after beachgoers, so now it is time to start warning people.



“The garbage is overflowing everywhere, so we’re spending a lot of money, and I know the sheriff’s office has had to work a lot of calls out there,” Carson said.



From now, on when beachgoers make their way in to the beach, they’ll see big signs posted telling them what they’re not allowed to do, such as no camping, no alcohol, no dumping, no hanging out after dark and so forth.



“Just a good time, cool weather, it’s a good beach to do some fishing, and, plus, I can bring my dog,” Gandy beachgoer Michael Nedeau said.

Michael Nedeau did not know about some of the laws, and he and his family have been going to Gandy Beach for nine years.



“No alcohol, yeah, I agree with it, but it should be no bottles, no glass, and pick up after yourself,” Nedeau said.



Nedeau’s father, Phillip, realizes people are not cleaning up after themselves, and that’s why he agrees with the rules.



He said the nighttime crowd is ruining the beach for everyone else.



“You get people down here partying who’ve probably been partying all day long at their homes, and they come down here and cool off or what not and they have no respect for anybody or anything,” Phillip Nedeau said.

Deputies will spend the summer educating people about the laws.



A spokesperson told Bay News 9 if deputies catch repeat offenders they will likely receive a citation.



FDOT also said overnight drag racing is a big problem on Gandy, and that’s another reason why officials are trying to keep people out of that area after dark.



The Gandy Beach area is FDOT-owned property, and a spokesperson said to keep it open the rules have to be followed.

