During the high season in Virginia Beach, Parks and Recreation staff share weekly updates regarding weekend activity at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR):

Friday, July 25 –        113 total launches, car parking did fill up around 3:15pmand was steady most of the day. The overflow lot was used for 6 trailers. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, July 26 –    247 total launches, car parking was full from 9:15 am until after 9pm (see below for large gathering and influx of cars). The overflow was used for 59 vehicles with trailers.  Barricade operations were not needed.

Sunday, July 27 –       169 total launches, car parking was full from 10:10am – 4:30pm. The overflow was used for 30 vehicles. Barricade operations were not needed.

Incidents to report:

• Approximately, 5pm on Saturday, police were onsite and wrote two parking tickets for people illegally parked in the parking lot turnaround area. A third vehicle was ticketed for parking on/blocking the sidewalk.

• On Saturday evening, at approximately 9:30 PM, a large number of individuals began to park at the Lynnhaven boat ramp and gather on the beach. Security and Police personnel were onsite at that time.  Per security and police, the students were largely engaged in socializing and enjoying the beach environment. The officers communicated to the attendees that it was approaching curfew and advised them to disperse by 11:00 PM. By approximately 10:30 to 10:45 PM, the crowd amicably dispersed without any incidents or legal violations noted.

• Later that evening, at 11:40 PM, the Garda World security person reported a dispute involving a father and daughter, which prompted officers to respond to address a potential domestic situation at that location.

• On Sunday, the VBPD Marine patrol unit towed in a derelict boat and placed it on the spoil site for removal later by Public Works.

• Review of video data from Friday until Monday morning showed heavy car traffic after hours until after midnight Friday and Saturday night but no visible loitering in the parking lots.  Police were onsite Saturday night/ Sunday morning for periods of time between midnight and 4am.

• Garda Security personnel continue to be a real asset to our operation. They have been very engaging with users and have done a tremendous job keeping cars out of the trailer lot after hours, which in turn has seen the elimination of cars doing donuts, etc. in those lots over the last few weeks.   

• Parking Enforcement –I will send these numbers as soon as possible.

During my weekly debrief with Emergency Management and Garda World I found out that the city also has a roaming Garda World security person that works overnight. It was decided that that roving person would also begin visiting the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp during his rounds between the hours of 2am and 7am. They will also act as a second guard on Friday and Saturday nights for short shifts between 11-1 to assist with current security personnel onsite.