Several years ago, I returned to my car at sunset, only to find the parking lot slammed full of cars. The boom boxes were thundering. It was obvious there was drinking, cans being thrown, bottles smashed on the ground etc.
In the two hours before sunset the crowd turned from the nornally friendly beach walkers, family's etc.. into a mob young adults up to no good. AS I packed up, a police car pulled along side and asked if I was leaving, and said "GOOD!" It was obvious that the situation was delicate and not totally in control. The Police could do nothing to "protect" me, nor would I be expecting my own private body guards. I ran back over the dune, and told those remaining that it was time to go. They had the same reaction when they got back to the lot... "Holy Sh++!"
Since then, Ive followed their advice to be heading home around sunset.
Recently I've noticed many more police on quads all over the beach and park. The situation seems much more orderly.
Last night was fine. The boom boom was the thundering bass comming from the organized dance at the Natorium.
I pretty much follow the same rules at lots of beach parks all over the world. Ala Moana on Oahu is ok in the day but totally unsafe at night, Kanaha used to be the same on Maui.....the day is fine for everyone, but the night belongs to the locals.
Lessons learned from layovers... in West Palm Beach florida we stay at a nice hotel with beautiful gardens and pools, but in a run down neighborhood. MLB uses the hotel for Spring training as well. We had a pilot go out for a run and some drugged out crack head sees him and beats the guy almost to death with a bat. career over. A baseball player was fatally shot by a guy totally messed up on drugs or alcohol. When you toss drugs and or alcohol into the mix, common sense if no longer valid.
We live in a nutty world. No disrespect intended toward your neighborhood!
