CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Beachgoers -- undeterred by Nueces County's ban on beach parking over July 4 weekend -- are still arriving by the carload.
"Just trying to hang out -- have family fun," said tourist Jeffery Dempsey. "That’s it."
Corpus Christi Police Department officers are responding by citing cars and trucks parked along access roads to beaches such as Whitecap.
"The reason that the citations are being issued is that the vehicles are blocking other vehicles' traffic," Senior Officer Gary Williams said. "They’re also obstructing any emergency vehicles."
Williams wasn't certain how much the fine would be for the tickets he was writing, but he remained steadfast that the citations served a valid purpose.
"If we have a problem on the beach, there’s a reason that certain roads have to remain open to emergency vehicles,” Williams said.
Meanwhile, beachgoers keep coming -- prepared to pay fines if need be to enjoy the surf and the sun.
"We’ll pay the ticket," Dempsey said. "It’s not a big deal. But (the county) probably needs more (no parking) signs and a lot of less restrictions.”