Littering, fires and trespassing: Committee formed to address Narragansett Beach complaints
PORTSMOUTH – About 20 Portsmouth residents gathered at the Common Fence Point community center to follow up on issues with littering and loud partying at the informally named Narragansett Boulevard beach.
The sliver of shoreline is tucked into the train tracks just north of the Sakonnet River Bridge and is accessible only by boat or by a dubiously delineated CRMC public access path which cuts across private property at least twice.
Most of the residents in attendance were from the Common Fence Point and Hummocks neighborhoods, and most of the beachgoers who camp, light fires, leave trash and relieve themselves in the surrounding woods – the beach has public parking, but no public facilities – are, according to Portsmouth residents who live in the area, “not from here.”
When did the complaints start?
Many Common Fence Point and Hummocks area residents trace an intensification of the littering, partying and trespassing back to the addition of 12 public parking spaces under the Sakonnet River bridge when it was rebuilt in 2012 and note that on the weekends the lot under the bridge and at times the side of Riverside Ave are full of cars with Massachusetts plates.
The issues at the beach have been going on for long enough to cycle in front of the Town Council in 2017 and again now in 2023. A large amount of trash could be seen on the beach last week and multiple abutting property owners said they have patiently tried to make headway for years against recurring problems of rampant littering, trespassing, public urination and defecation, loud partying and occasional fights on or near their property.
Underlying racial tension?
But beyond the gripes about illegal activity and behavior at the beach, there is also at times an undeniable racial tension undergirding some of the complaints about who is using beach: Where exactly “not from here” is depends on who is asked, with Portsmouth residents at the recent meeting mentioning places as vague as “out of town” and the entire state of Massachusetts but also mentioning places as specific as Fall River and Cape Verde.
Harbor Commission members Abigail Brown and Carol Mello and various members of the public also made multiple references to the frequently occurring language barrier between neighborhood residents and the non-English speaking beachgoers they have at times approached or confronted about trespassing and littering, with some at the meeting expressing the belief that some beachgoers conveniently pretend to be unable to communicate in English only when confronted.
The Aug. 1 meeting was run by Brown, the Portsmouth Harbor Commissioner. She gave neighborhood residents a summary and review of a July 14 meeting about the beach which was held under the Sakonnet bridge with Town Administrator Richard Rainer, representatives of the Portsmouth Harbor Commission, RIDEM, RIDOT, RITBA, the Portsmouth Police Department, the Portsmouth DPW, the owner of the railroad company and representatives of the local community. (CRMC was invited but did not attend the meeting.)
In the course of inviting those in attendance to attend the Harbor Commission meeting, Brown said, “I would have liked to have had you all at the (July 14 with Rainer and state officials) meeting under the bridge, but unfortunately, everybody came to the conclusion that there might be a lynching.”
The line drew a laugh from the crowd, and she paused before continuing, “we have to play nice-nice with the people upstate to get what we want.”
Contacted after the meeting, Brown explained that the comment was just an offhand joke, that she had "a strange sense of humor" and that the comment certainly had nothing to do with and was not directed at Cape Verdeans or people of any other race.
Rainer characterized the statement as “an obviously poor choice of words” and said he has worked with Brown for a long time and voiced his firm belief that she did not intend anything malicious by the comment.
Town Administrator Rainer’s letter to Narragansett Boulevard Beach stakeholders contained the following nine points
Rainer's nine points are transcribed here exactly as he wrote them to DOT, DEM, and RITBA officials, railroad operator Eric Moffet, Portsmouth police chief Brian Peters, Portsmouth DPW head Brian Woodhead, the Portsmouth Town Council, state senator Linda Ujifusa and state rep. Michelle McGaw:
Trespassing: We explored the possibility of implementing fencing in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Railroad Owner to protect residential private property. Additionally, we discussed working with RI Energy to clearly mark no trespassing areas on their property through signage.
Parking: Our proposed actions include engaging the Town Police Department to assess the desire for "residents only" parking on State Owned roads near the Sakonnet Bridge. If there is sufficient demand, we will formally present this request to the State Traffic Commission. We will also collaborate with the Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC) to improve signage and identify prohibited parking areas. Moreover, the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority (RIBTA) will install barriers to restrict vehicle traffic on RIBTA off-road property.
Trash: To tackle the issue of garbage, the Town will remove unauthorized trash barrels in the vicinity. We also foster partnerships with volunteer groups and community organizations to organize regular clean-up events and promote a sense of ownership and pride in maintaining the area's cleanliness.
Noise: Recognizing the concerns raised regarding excessive noise, we will work in tandem with relevant agencies and stakeholders to explore the feasibility of implementing a "dusk-to-dawn" policy in the area, fostering a more peaceful atmosphere.
Fires: We are committed to addressing fire-related concerns by collaborating with appropriate agencies and legislators to consider the possibility of an ordinance that regulates fires and disposable BBQs, ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors.
Alcohol consumption: In order to maintain a responsible environment, we will engage with the relevant authorities and lawmakers to explore the potential for an ordinance that governs the consumption of alcohol in public spaces.
Boating: To enhance safety and security, the Town Police and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will work together to increase their presence in the area, specifically monitoring boaters during high-traffic periods, from late Thursday to Sunday afternoons.
CRMC Right of Way: Recognizing the misleading signage directing people to cross a railway, we will collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure clear and comprehensive signage that highlights both prohibited activities and designated access points, reducing confusion and unauthorized entry.
First Responder Access: We acknowledge the importance of efficient emergency response and will contact RI Energy to explore the possibility of utilizing their easement to improve access to the beach area for first responders.
A subsequent Harbor Commission meeting on Aug. 2 resulted in the formation of a subcommittee comprised of Mello, Tom Griebe, Pat Rossi and Larry Walch which will focus specifically on the beach issues.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Portsmouth creates committee to address Narragansett Beach complaints
