4:00pm | Supervisor Don Knabe released a statement, emphasizing the point previously brought up in our article that the ordinance actually lifted a more stringent ban on beach activities:

I’ve heard the outcry over the prohibition against footballs and Frisbees at Los Angeles County beaches as another example of government run amok. In fact, the intent of the ordinance was to increase recreational activities -something which has been lost in the media coverage. There was a prohibition against footballs and Frisbees in the old ordinance from the 1970s. The updated ordinance does not ban footballs, soccer balls or Frisbees on beaches. Rather, it provides reasonable safety measures that lifeguards may impose on a crowded beach day, when wayward footballs or Frisbees could cause injuries to bystanders. The media reports also misrepresent violation fees. As there have been so many inaccurate reports and confusion, I am asking our Director of Beaches and Harbors to come to our Board meeting on Tuesday to explain and clarify the ordinance. My goal is to ensure the safety of the 50-70 million beachgoers who visit the Los Angeles County beaches each year. I hear your concerns and will raise them on Tuesday.”

2:00pm | The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors agreed this week to pass a 37-page ordinance which would bar anyone from throwing a football or frisbee on the beach during peak times. The basis behind the ordinance, according to the Board, is to protect beachgoers on crowded summer days from being injured — as well as lift an all-out ban on football playing that was initiated years ago.

Between Memorial Day and Labor day, beachgoers cannot “cast, toss, throw, kick, or roll” any object outside a beach ball and volleyball. Even stranger are the prohibitions against sand digging — yes, sand digging. The ordinance prohibits anyone from digging a hole in the sand deeper than 18-inches — that is, unless you’re a filming crew with a permit.

The ordinance has sparked not only national and international coverage questioning the tact and sense of such a law, but has undoubtedly struck up an outrage and controversy on Supervisor Don Knabe’s Facebook page. 

Parent Matt Oliver stated, 

“Don, my childhood in the South Bay was filled with days at the beach throwing around footballs, baseballs, frisbees, etc. I want to be able to do the same with my daughter as she grows up. I can watch out for her safety (like I do everywhere else), so you don’t need to pass ridiculous laws like this one to overgovern us. Repeal the new beach ordinance.”

“Concerned Citizen” Jeremy Akers went for sarcasm when he posted,

I recently read that sand could get in your eye when you go to the beach. At your next meeting could you please ban all sand at the beach? Thank you, signed A Concerned Citizen.

L.A. County representative Carol Baker released the following statement:

The new ordinance lifts a decades-old, all-out ban on playing football, Frisbee and other ball on the beach. Its intention was not to preclude football or Frisbee tossing.  Rather, its purpose is to allow ball playing, while providing reasonable safety measures that lifeguards may impose on a crowded beach day, when wayward footballs or Frisbees could cause injuries to bystanders.  

The ordinance allows football play, Frisbee and other ball play during the off-peak beach season. In the summer months, when millions of visitors come to L.A. County beaches, lifeguards have the authority to stop a game if it threatens safety in crowded areas of the beach. If necessary, a citation may be issued by law enforcement or Department Code Enforcement Officers to individuals who ignore the lifeguards’ directives on ball playing.

Even during the peak season, the rule does allow for games in specially designated parts of the beach.” 

A petition has been started to repeal the ordinance.