I work on Tybee and I was there all day Saturday. The days leading up to the weekend I heard the same horror stories I hear year after year. The same negative rhetoric repeated amongst "friends" almost with a sense of satisfaction. At 3 PM I decided to take a stroll around the island to see what was going on. Do you want to know what I saw? A bunch of young people having fun at the beach. Never once did I feel threatened or endangered. The energy in the air was celebratory and exuberant. I saw lines out the door at tons businesses. I saw hotel parking lots packed with room balconies decorated with party livery. Spring break celebrations were in full swing.
However I started noticing things that I never noticed before. Traffic cones were set up barricading various streets with groups of residents standing next to them. As I turn to go down on of these streets along with one or two people close to me in traffic (it was obvious these people were not there for the festivities) one of the middle aged men holding a beer pronounced "That's right! White Lane ONLY!" to the laughter and cheers of his associates. I noticed restaurants with unwelcoming signs with the basic message of "Stay Away"... My brother in law works in Savannah. When a couple patrons walked in that looked like they were at the beach he struck up a conversation "Hey why aren't you guys at the beach?" there response is heartbreaking, they said, "We left because we have never felt so discriminated against and unwelcomed in our lives. The locals on that island are appalling"
I understand that this event and it's partygoers bring its fair share of negatives but in my honest opinion it's made worse from an island that is not open to welcoming a different culture for the weekend. I saw a police presence that was ramped up deliberately and effectively. Butler was artificially stopped to a stand still. Cops riding around with blue lights on don't enhance safety they just added tension that did not have to be there. Increase a police presence but don't make a hostile environment. Once again the issue is the island won't accept this event. Instead of shutting down a public beach Tybee should open its arms and welcome these patrons. Increase sanitation staff and equipment for the weekend. Increase the number of trash cans on the beach. Accomodate entertainment needs. Collaborate with Orange Crush organizers to form structured, scheduled events (Music, Art, Dance, Games) to keep order.
I heard a local talking with the Mayor of Tybee a few month back discussing Orange Crush. "Close of the island!" was the ending argument met with a laugh. Today the news breaks that Tybee Mayor vows to keep Orange Crush off the beach next year.
I can't wait for Tybee Island's WHITES ONLY sign.