Last call has come for a popular Outer Cape beach.
Drinking alcohol at Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet will be banned from late May through early September in an effort to curb rowdy behavior, officials said.
The town of Wellfleet and the Cape Cod National Seashore, which owns and operates the beach, said the prohibition on drinking or possessing alcohol will be in effect from May 20 through Sept. 10.
Over the past six years, crowds at the beach have grown, leading to an increase in excessive drinking, assaults, and people passing out in the parking lot, officials said in a statement.
“Before these identified problems become tragedies, we have developed a phased approach to address the situation beginning this summer,” officials said. “The risk to our visitors, lifeguards and police officers is too great and must be minimized with thoughtful action.”
The Provincetown Independent first reported on the drinking ban, which includes hefty fines for violators, according to national seashore Chief Ranger Michael B. Valora.
Maximum penalties “could be a fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months, which could be imposed by a U.S. Magistrate judge,” he said by e-mail.
Drinking alcohol on town-owned property, including municipal beaches, is prohibited at all times, Wellfleet officials said.
Cahoon Hollow is located steps from the Beachcomber, a bar and seafood restaurant often packed during the summer months. On Friday, the restaurant posted a calming video of the surf gently rolling in.
“Happy Friday, friends!” the restaurant posted above the brief clip. “Enjoy this half minute or so of zen.”
Travis Andersen can be reached at [email protected].
