Editor,
This letter was also addressed to City Manager John Pietig.
A short while ago, I spotted several newly planted hinged signs positioned near the entry to the Laguna Wilderness at the north end of Alta Laguna Boulevard. I was hoping these might be a measure taken to address the very real issue of smoking in the wilderness area, perhaps displayed to signal the closure of the trails during high fire danger days. I’m afraid that was wishful thinking!
First of all, these signs address a condition whose season has already passed. And talk about misplaced priorities! In the order of threats to the community, are you really ranking a muddy trail over the prospect of a devastating wildfire? Even more confounding, the permanently affixed placards are not even designed to be converted to address the growing menace of visitors smoking in restricted areas.
If you think this is not an issue, join me on one of my morning hikes. I pick up cigarette butts not only on the Carolyn Wood Knoll, but also out on the trails and fire roads. Not just a few butts, but many. I trust it’s not going to take a catastrophic wildfire to validate my concern. What’s at risk is not just the wilderness area, but the homes and lives of those who reside near the potential burn area.
With fire season soon to be upon us, it’s time to become super aggressive in dealing with the scourge of smoking in the backcountry. If that means posting personnel in the sensitive areas and issuing citations, then do it; if that means blocking or restricting access to vulnerable areas, then do it; if that means launching a major social media campaign to alert visitors to the city and county’s no smoking stance, then do it.
Don’t hire a consultant to study the problem. Don’t form a committee to discuss the issue. Don’t put it on the agenda for the City Council to review. Don’t hope that some other department or agency will take care of this matter. Don’t hope the problem will go away on its own.
Smoking in the wilderness areas is a very real problem that demands immediate attention and a proactive plan of action.
Just do something meaningful now!
Jerry King, Laguna Beach
I am a careful smoker. I propose stiff penalties to those
who disobey rules of common sense. Cameras can be used to stop them and fines can be used to pay for enforcement. I have seen way too many careless smokers put the public at risk by tossing their lit butts near dry brush.
You forgot to mention the sign that says
” LAGUNA BEACH AN EDUCATION IN POLICITICS..”