Littlepage: Keep the Northbank Riverwalk open to fishing

[thelakelander]

Taxpayers spent millions of dollars to build the Northbank Riverwalk to proivde the public access to the St. Johns River.

That access was for everyone, not just the privileged few.

But during the last couple of weeks, a few No Fishing signs have been popping up along the riverwalk, citing a city ordinance that was passed in 2007.

full article: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/406107/ron-littlepage/2013-10-15/keep-northbank-riverwalk-open-fishing

[Noone]

DIA Board meeting today at 5pm city hall, 1st floor. Make some Noise. Anyone going? Anybody care?

Planning a RICO kayak and fishing paddle in our new highly restricted DIA/CRA in the USA zone.

Littlepage nails it. And of coarse none of this before Waterways. We are so LOST.

The total crushing of the Public Trust.

VISIT JACKSONVILLE- Yea Right!

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

[Dog Walker]

Lake,  The problem with the fishermen on the Riverwalk and why they are being posted is that they are leaving unholy messes where they fish; dead fish, beer cans, human feces, puddles of urine, fast food wrappers and uneaten food.  Selective enforcement was tried by JSO to just target those who were creating the messes, but there were too many and the citations were being ignored as well.

This posting is a last desperate measure to control the problem.  The fishermen have ruined it for themselves.

[thelakelander]

How are things handled at Stockton and Memorial Parks?

[acme54321]

Lake,  The problem with the fishermen on the Riverwalk and why they are being posted is that they are leaving unholy messes where they fish; dead fish, beer cans, human feces, puddles of urine, fast food wrappers and uneaten food.  Selective enforcement was tried by JSO to just target those who were creating the messes, but there were too many and the citations were being ignored as well.

This posting is a last desperate measure to control the problem.  The fishermen have ruined it for themselves.

Yep.  The southbank riverwalk down by the school board is nasty from the fishermen and shrimpers. 

[funwithteeth]

In another thread, I sarcastically suggested that this was just another Hemming Plaza "situation," but this doesn't surprise me. I regularly jog along the Riverwalk, and while I've never spotted poop, I have seen trash—which, admittedly, could be left by anyone—and fish viscera.

[Intuition Ale Works]

How are things handled at Stockton and Memorial Parks?

We have similar issues at Memorial park.

Loose fishing line is also an issue.

[Jumpinjack]

I've cleaned up parts of Memorial Park and the Riverwalk northbank from fish bait and guts, hooks, line, beer and food wrappings. It is pretty disgusting. Suggest that more people who demand to keep these places open for fishing, get out and help with weekly clean-up. Mondays are usually the best time to help clean because of the weekend crowd.

[BridgeTroll]

Lake,  The problem with the fishermen on the Riverwalk and why they are being posted is that they are leaving unholy messes where they fish; dead fish, beer cans, human feces, puddles of urine, fast food wrappers and uneaten food.  Selective enforcement was tried by JSO to just target those who were creating the messes, but there were too many and the citations were being ignored as well.

This posting is a last desperate measure to control the problem.  The fishermen have ruined it for themselves.

For a second there I thought you were describing the homeless of Hemming...

[Cheshire Cat]

I have a question.  If these signs are posted, who in the city is going to monitor illegal use and enforce the ordinance?  If we do have the personnel to do so, might it not be a good idea to have those folks monitor those fishing and require that they clean up after themselves instead of banning all fishing?   

[thelakelander]

Good question. There has to be a better answer than simply throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

[Charles Hunter]

From going to the Urban Core CPAC, JSO regularly patrols the Northbank Riverwalk, and, now that the signs are posted, will enforce No Fishing.  This has long been an issue with at least some who attend the UC-CPAC.  Sings were apparently posted several months ago, but mysteriously went missing.  The new signs are supposed to be mounted more securely.

To Lake's last point - it is easier to enforce a total ban, than it is to get people to clean up after themselves.  Perhaps the police could try to ensure tidiness by enforcing anti-littering laws (up to $250 fine).  But then there would be the issue of selective enforcement - why are you fining me for my fish guts, when you didn't get that guy in a business suit who dropped a gum wrapper?

[Cheshire Cat]

I wonder what patrolling regularly means?  Once a day, twice, several times?  It would seem that if they were there that often folks wouldn't be leaving human waste along with the rest if the fish mess and litter.   I bet they put the signs up and they are gone again very soon.  Seems like the issue needs some sort of answer beyond signage, unless the police walk there several times a day I still don't see the deterrent to those who regularly go there.  Keep in mind, I am not excusing those who treat public areas like open sewers but I can't believe that all of the people who go there are thoughtless.  Maybe some signs that say, pick up your trash along with some attractive containers nearby for waste? Also signs saying the litter laws will be enforced.  If the police can enforce the no fishing they can certainly enforce the litter law and I don't think they would just go after folks dropping fish guts. Any law should be enforced justly.  I don't know the precise area, but is there a public restroom nearby by any chance?  Weird that Littlepage didn't notice all of these problems.  Wonder if he just ignored them for the story or what?

[thelakelander]

People in Jax aren't anymore different than people in coastal and riverfront cities across the country.  Thus, there should be alternative answers to outright banning all around us.  I'm pretty sure people fish at the Battery and Waterfront Park in Charleston.  Maybe they are handling the situation in a different manner.  In any event, outright banning goes against the concept of having an active riverfront and vibrant downtown environment.

[Noone]

From going to the Urban Core CPAC, JSO regularly patrols the Northbank Riverwalk, and, now that the signs are posted, will enforce No Fishing.  This has long been an issue with at least some who attend the UC-CPAC.  Sings were apparently posted several months ago, but mysteriously went missing.  The new signs are supposed to be mounted more securely.

To Lake's last point - it is easier to enforce a total ban, than it is to get people to clean up after themselves.  Perhaps the police could try to ensure tidiness by enforcing anti-littering laws (up to $250 fine).  But then there would be the issue of selective enforcement - why are you fining me for my fish guts, when you didn't get that guy in a business suit who dropped a gum wrapper?

Again, why wasn't any of this before Waterways? Councilman Redman is the chair of Waterways. Is there a picture of the stolen No Fishing signs? Are these the same No Fishing signs that appeared from the Hyatt to Berkman? Or is there now a variation?

There is still an open contest for the new Waterway signage that has nothing to do with Fishing and was also never before Waterways and the first MJ'er that posts the pic or tells all of us where it is I will treat you to a meal at Chopstick Charley's. We need an App for that hole in the wall treasure. Here is a clue. It's next to the river and it's in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

Urban Core CPAC go to Waterways. Why not? If you snooze you lose (NRW)LOL. At yesterday's  10/16/13 DIA Board meeting before a presentation on Homelessness and Vagrancy Issues by Dane Baird and after the presentation had DIA chairman Oliver Barakat saying "very thought provoking". I had an opportunity to speak with a JSO officer about the fishing issue.

As I recall this came before Waterways a few years ago and the issue had to do with uniform enforcement. Please anyone jump in here and correct me on this but any law enforcement officer can now write a ticket. The first thing to start with is do you have a fishing license? It use to be that only FWC could write a ticket for a fishing violation. But now anyone can. The officer was unaware of this option. At a Waterways meeting as I recall COJ Waterways Coordinator Jim Suber said that the reason that it is not widely known or enforced is because of the numerous fishing regulations on fish species. I get that.

I was at RAM and I may have some pics but just south of RAM were families fishing. Not just one but lined up. The baby strollers, the kids standing on the bulkheads. Young and Old. The dad was just swapping out bait and the kids were having a blast. There was a family on a blanket in the open space yards away from the people that wanted to be engaged with our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

Still planning a RICO kayak paddle and fishing trip under the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways. Sounds like the No Fishing zone has been expanded. All positive.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.