Faced with an unprecedented 17 drownings this year, Governor Camacho ordered all public beaches closed during the passage of Typhoon Nock-Ten. Hoping to forestall the loss of life that occurred during Tropical Storm Ting Ting in June, police officers were pulling surfers and swimmers from the water around the island.
This move sparked off another controversy between the Attorney General and the Governor’s office, with AG Doug Moylan noting that the Governor has no authority to close beaches and threaten criminal prosecution unless martial law is declared.
Local surfers were incensed as well, staging a protest rally yesterday at the Hagåtña Boat Basin. While police were busy rousting surfers, dozens of tourists waded in the waters of Tumon Bay, unfazed by any warnings or police action.
I understand the governor’s caution, but I think he was out of line. The surfers are saying the ban impinged their civil rights, and I am inclined to agree. If local surfers want to take advantage of the conditions and risk injury or death in the surf, so be it. It’s their life, not the governor’s. If anything, chase the tourists out of the water since they are usually poor swimmers and shockingly oblivious to water safety.