Silver Beach rangers warn of no tolerance for rule breakers this holiday weekend

 

SAINT JOSEPH, Mich. -- Sand, sunscreen, and safety; all things you’ll find at Silver Beach this Fourth of July weekend. 

“It’s a beautiful beach, we want people to enjoy it, but we obviously want the public to be safe in doing it,” says Chuck Heit, Undersheriff with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.

The key to staying safe while enjoying your beach trip is to know the rules ahead of time, because they will surely be enforced. 

“The park rules are in place to keep the public safe,” Heit assures. “So, we’ll be looking to enforce those.” 

Starting with what to bring in your cooler . . . 

“No alcohol, no cannabis, we’re not going to put up with that this weekend,” says Jaysen Field, Environmental Property Manager with Berrien County Parks. “Anyone who’s going to be doing that will be getting a ticket or even escorted off the property.” 

The drink they encourage you to bring is water to stay hydrated.

 “If we have a hot weekend, we want to make sure everyone’s going to be hydrated here, drinking plenty of fluids,” Field says.

You can bring your speaker too, just make sure you’re not blasting any tunes that wouldn’t be considered ‘family friendly’. 

“We will be looking for the loud music, with any ordinance you can’t disrupt other people around you with either loud or profane music,” Heit explains.

Rangers are especially asking parents to keep an eye on their children, so they don't get lost in the large crowds.

If you plan to brave the cold waters of Lake Michigan, know what the color of the flag at the lifeguard tower means. 

“If it’s a green flag it’s good to swim, yellow, swim with caution, red, we’re not allowing swimming at all here,” explains Field.

They also want folks to take part and be an advocate for everyone's safety by reporting inappropriate or suspicious behavior.

“Anyone can help us, if they see something, say something,” says Field. “We’ll have about 25 rangers working throughout the day plus numerous sheriff officers so we'll all be working together trying to find whatever we can.” 

Silver Beach Park hours will stay the same this weekend, 5 a.m.  to 10 p.m., except for Monday, July 3 it'll stay open longer for fireworks.