"Obviously, people don't like getting tickets, most of the people that we do issue the tickets to say they didn't know, but there are signs posted on every dune crossing," lifeguard Chris Muscara said.
One of those same signs, filled with rules but no mention of citations, was posted Memorial Day when fines for littering and alcohol were $50, with another $50 tacked on for court fees. In June, town leaders hiked those fees to $200, plus the $50 for court costs.
As you can imagine the hefty fines are getting mixed reviews from beachgoers around here. Most people like the idea of having clean alcohol free beaches, but a lot of folks say that $250 fine leaves them with a sinking feeling.
"I think it is a steep fine. I know Dewey Beach is looking for additional revenue, however, I am very opposed to all the littering," Ava Cannon of Rehoboth said.
Alleged violators do have the option of fighting their citation in court but so far most have opted to bury the past, and pay the fine.
