Trash piling up from spring breakers

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WALA) - Spring break and the crowds that come with it are a huge boom for businesses on Alabama's gulf coast. But, with the thousands of visitors, come problems too.  Spring breakers have been leaving much more than footprints behind. 

The thousands of spring breakers that enjoy the Gulf Coast can generate a lot of trash. Gulf Shores officials said that trash has become a big problem.

“We’ve worked very hard over the last couple of years with a lot of high intensity on clean beaches, and we won’t let this continue to happen,” said Grant Brown, Director of Recreation and Public Affairs for the city of Gulf Shores.

The city called a special meeting this morning to address the issue.  Three day a week trash pick-up doesn't begin until after Memorial Day, and bags of trash can pile up on the streets.

That's just part of the problem. Officials said lots of litter is being left behind on the beaches as well.

People are leaving behind far more than bottles and soda and beer cans.  They’re also leaving big items behind like broken lawn chairs and rafts.  The problem extends beyond the beach to private property. 

At one private residence on the beach, spring breakers had a snack at a picnic table under the house and left their crawfish scraps and drink cups behind.  Leslie Morris’ family owns a beach house near Little Lagoon Pass and has witnessed the problem first hand.

“When I look out when I’m enjoying my cereal in the morning, all I see is their big pile of cans and old chairs and things they’ve left,” Morris said.

Brown said property owners are ultimately responsible for keeping their portions of the beach and road frontage clean, and the city plans to start handing out fines to those who don't comply.

“The ordinances are very clear that the property owner has to clean up and keep their property safe and in good repair,” Brown said.  “There are citations and fines that can be issued.”

Gulf Shores officials said there are various local and state laws against littering that could come into play.  Fines and court costs could cost offenders up to $500 dollars.