The Walton County Board of County Commissioners took up the issue of the Beach Ambassador program and heard a proposal from Audie Rowell, Chief of Operations for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
Chief Rowell explained that WCSO had worked with county staff and Tourism Department staff to craft a plan for implementing a new Beach Ambassador program. He said they had collectively agreed on a proposal that features a full-time, year-round group, consisting of 10 people, along with a second volunteer group whose numbers could vary. The full-time group would be under the authority of the WCSO, while the volunteer group would operate under the Tourism Department.
Chief Rowell said the full-time group would be traversing the beaches “meeting with different folks along the way, educating them about visiting the beach and how that operates in our county.”
He said the second group would supplement the first group. “They could stand at certain beach accesses, hand out information and talk to people, educating them as to the rules of visiting the beaches in Walton County. The Sheriff’s Office would be responsible for educating and training all of the Beach Ambassadors,” he said. “That way we have a consistent message.”
Commissioner Tony Anderson made a motion to approve the plan, seconded by Commissioner Danny Glidewell.
South Walton resident Suzanne Harris asked Chief Rowell to define the role and specific duties of the volunteer Ambassadors.
Rowell said, “The Beach Ambassadors are not law enforcement. They have no enforcement authority, and they would not be involved in anything to do with removing anybody from any parcel or any portion of the beach. They are strictly for education. Period. If there is a problem, then they’ll have communication with a deputy sheriff and a deputy sheriff will come over there and handle it.”
The commissioners then voted unanimously to pass the proposal.
For more information, contact the Public Information Office at (850) 892-8155 or pio@co.walton.fl.us.
Author: Sowal Editor
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