Hamptons Town Possibly Banning Booze On The Beach

Over the past couple of years Indian Wells Beach in Amagansett has turned into a pop up beach party with rowdy crowds that are aggravating residents. Between drunken, disorderly behavior and a surplus of trash, officials are looking for a solution to return the beach into the family friend spot it once was.

To deter the unruly atmosphere last year, East Hampton Town enacted a pilot program to beef up parking enforcement. Those without a resident sticker were forced to walk from the Bluff Road intersection, and officials hoped the trek would discourage beachgoers from bringing heavy coolers and kegs beachside.
While the efforts did thwart many without the appropriate pass from parking in the lot, the actions of rambunctious individuals were still an issue.

Town Councilwoman Sylvia Overby has proposed a new law that would forbid alcohol at Indian Wells and Atlantic beaches during hours that lifeguards are on duty. The possible ban is a hot topic with Town Trustees. During a Town Board meeting on Thursday, March 20, Diane McNally, clerk of the East Hampton Town Trustees, pointed out the potential restriction raises a jurisdictional problem. McNally noted independently elected town trustees have jurisdiction over town beaches. Before the town board can take any action, trustees must review and comment on the issue, which has not been done yet.

So for right now, the town board will give trustees a month to evaluate the matter before scheduling a public meeting on the ban.