Triple Fine Enforcement Period runs through Friday in Santa Cruz County

Breaking the law in Santa Cruz County could cost you three times as much this week.

To help keep everyone safe while celebrating this 4th of July, law enforcement have put a Triple Fine Enforcement period into effect.

That includes those headed to the beach. State Parks Lifeguard Supervisor, Eddie Rhee-Pizano, says “Any holiday weekend such as Memorial Day or 4th of July we have a triple fine. It’s up to the officer’s discretion, but you can get a violation, any violation in the County could be subject to a triple fine.”

Drinking alcohol on the beach, or setting off fireworks could cost as much as $1,000.

Most people at the beach say they understand why it’s so high.

Rul Medina who is visiting from San Diego says, “a lot of people get injured especially with fireworks, there’s a lot of injuries with fireworks so i feel like it’s kind of good.”

One of his friends, Alejandro Huaman agrees, “I think it’s good that they actually, well they’ve always fined but like that they’re enforcing now, especially like he said you could blow your hands off. If you’re drunk playing with fireworks you could blow your hands off.”

Angle Milhouse’s family has been coming to Twin Lakes on 4th of July for 15 years now. They say rain or shine they will continue the tradition and don’t mind the rules.

“We don’t care that there’s no fireworks, we’ll see those later and of course we’re not drinking alcohol cause we have the babies with us,” says Milhouse.

Another thing Rhee-Pizano says has been a big problem is the amount of trash left on the beach.

“The general rule is pack it in, pack it out, we’re talking about trash. If you bring something to the beach, take it off the beach as well or put it in the proper receptacles,” Rhee-Pizano said.

There are several beach clean-up days scheduled throughout the County for July 5th to help clean up what is left behind.

The triple fine enforcement period runs through Friday, July 6th.