What's next?

[Master-Baiter]

The following is a true story. The information is current, and the events occurred within the past 10 days. The names have been changed to protect the innocent or guilty. Any resemblance to person's, living or dead, is intentional.

For those of you who may know, or think you know, who one or more of those involved with these incidents are, please respect the anonymity of this message. It is not my intention to identify anyone, or cause any possible embarrassment.

I was not personally involved or a witness to these events, other than by telephone as an advisor and calming influence, and was asked to "report the news", so to speak. I waited a few days before writing this.

Dateline: Within past 10 days.

"Ring ring" and I answer the telephone.

"Mr. Getalongwithall" is calling, and proceeds to tell me the story of how he was just kicked off the beach for fishing by the Fort Lauderdale Police. He is somewhat upset and frustrated at the moment, and I calm him down the best I can over the telephone.

I happened to be online at the time, and while chatting with him, I went to the site with the Fort Lauderdale Municipal Codes.

After reading the short section, I told him that the officer had apparently made a mistake in quoting the "law", and that he had every right to be fishing where he was when he was.

I suggested that he contact a patrol supervisor at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, politely and respectfully explain the circumstances, quote the appropriate municipal code, and receive clarification.

"Don't complain, politely inquire" I emphatically suggested, "An officer made a small mistake, it's no big deal, except for your inconvenience. I'm confident this will be resolved amicably."

The Fort Lauderdale Municipal Codes states:

Sec. 8-75. Fishing.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fish or surf cast from any part of the public beach between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day except as follows:
(1) Fishing and surf casting shall be allowed on the sandy part of the public beach located between N.E. 18th Street and N.E. 23rd Street, during any hours other than 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays.
(2) Persons engaged in fishing or surf casting as provided herein shall have the affirmative duty to avoid contact with swimmers.
(3) Nothing herein shall authorize any person to launch a vessel from any part of the public beach for purposes of engaging in fishing or surf casting.
(4) The city manager or designee may temporarily restrict fishing or surf casting on any part of the public beach to accommodate an outdoor event or in a declared emergency.

A captain eventually telephoned Mr. Getalongwithall back, apologized for the inconvenience, advised that he was indeed correct about the code, and that officers were now aware of the proper codes and how they apply.

Tactfully handled, he received a positive result.

I just hope he does not get spotted jay walking by that officer in the near future, cause he's going down hard. SWAT is probably watching and waiting until he does something wrong. Don't call me to bail you out of jail. LOL

Also revealed to me in our conversation, at the time of the original incident, the officer told him there had been a complaint and he was instructed to keep a careful eye on the beach and anglers.

Yes, perhaps the officer did overstep his authority and/or misinterpret his orders, but that is not the issue. The officer misinterpreted instructions received during a briefing, and mistakes happen. No harm, no foul, just a little inconvenience and a fishing session shortened for one day. The issue closed and forgotten.

Now onto another "story" as related to me a day or two later. We need to rewind history back to a few day prior to Mr. Getalongwithall's being told to leave the beach area.

Seems another angler was fishing the same area a few days earlier. Mr. ROAH ("Rude Obnoxious A$$ Hole"), a local and long time angler well known and disliked by most for his rude attitude and abusive, vulgar, agressive, and vocal nature, was fishing in the approximate same location. A bather, in the water, asked Mr. ROAH if he would mind moving further away, since the hooks and line made him very nervous and he was getting closer.

This request bothered Mr. ROAH, who became vocal, and apparently verbally assaulted the bather.

The next day, Mr. ROAH was back in the same spot, and ran into Mr. Illpassitalong, who both knew each other and to whom he told the story of his previous day's encounter with the bather, how he verbally abused that bather, and more. He was boasting of his previous days disrespect toward another person, and actions. After all, he's been fishing the area for years and is entitled to continue to do so.

Fast forward from history to present:

To recap:

On Day 1, Mr ROAH had rude, abusive, and vulgar words with a bather who was frightened of a fisherman approaching nearby, and most likely intimidated by the ensuing conversation. Perhaps a tourist, resident, or influential local figure.

On Day 2, Mr. ROAH related his "story" about the nerve of that bather asking him to move further away and not fish near him, and replayed his conversation to Mr. Illpassitalong, whom I'm also acquainted with.

On Day 3 or 4, Mr Getalongwithall, while fishing, was told to leave the beach by Fort Lauderdale Police.

It is apparent that Mr. ROAH's attitude and behavior on day one strongly impacted Mr Getalongwithall's right to fish. Someone had obviously filed a complaint, which eventually trickled down with apparent and unsatisfactory results.

There's a moral or two in this series of true, as related to me, events.

Obviously, the only "JERK" on the beach while fishing should be the jig you're fishing and the rod you're using. Definitely not an angler.

Your actions and attitude while fishing will have an impact on others. You may not witness it yourself, but it will happen. Eventually, it may come back to Mr. ROAH.

While fishing, there certainly is proper etiquette. Whether from the pier, beach, jetty, boat, wherever you are, there are certain rules that should always be followed.

Whether written in stone, or in the mind, those rules of fishing etiquette, and for life in general, should be followed.

That concludes this message. I've related the facts as received by me.

[jighead]

It's unfortunate these incidents occur it brings to mind numerous phases I learned in my youth.If you can't say anything nice, say nothing! Do unto others what you would want to happen to you! What about the next person! You get more bees with honey then vinegar.What transpired was totally unnecessary. The poor "good guy" paid for the misdoings of the "bad guy". To the other point of contacting the police and "seeking their help" in that matter.MB the manner in which such things get resolved is exactly the proper way to get resolve. Thank you for a tutorial in communication.

[jighead]

I beleive I had the misfortune of running into the "bad guy" last weekend.Boy, is he surly! I'm weird I guess, I say hello to those that pass by me,you never know when the future Mrs jighead will pass by. Does that guy catch fish?