Security vehicles on beach broke no laws

The recent public controversy about developer Thomas McCloskey’s uniformed private security guards riding all-terrain vehicles on Donkey Beach wasn’t necessarily about breaking any laws, according to Kaua’i County Police officials.

“ATVs are allowed if it is on private land,” said Ale Quibilan, commander of the Police Department’s Lihu’e district.

During public hearings on McCloskey’s proposal to give the county 59 acres that includes Donkey Beach, attention was drawn to the security men on the beach because beachgoers complained they were being harassed.

Quibilan said that’s usually the reason police get involved.

“We respond when we have complaints from beachgoers” about vehicles on the beach, he said, adding the complaints are relatively few.

Although trucks and cars are banned on state beaches, Kaua’i County allows some vehicular traffic.

“It’s not a problem. Vehicles can go on the beach to pick up and drop off picnickers and campers, or to drop off camping supplies. And out on the West Side especially, there are fisherman who park on the beach. They are not racing and doing donuts” (circles in the sand), Quibilan said.

Under county law, people can drive on county-operated beaches and drop people off who are fishing or picnicking.

“That’s okay on our beaches. It’s unlawful on state beaches,” County Councilman Gary Hooser said.

The council rejected McCloskey’s offer after lengthy testimony at a public hearing last week from citizens who showed snapshots of security-related ATVs and complained about their presence.

Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net