Bald Head Island curfew put to rest as staff eyes cameras

Bald Head Island officials have backed off from talks on whether to institute an island-wide curfew for minors.

Public feedback on a draft ordinance that would establish a curfew for teens under 18 has prompted village staff to look into other ways of trying to deter what most agree are the actions of a few.

Village Manager Chris McCall told council members in a meeting last month that staff are researching camera systems and looking into the feasibility of ramping up law enforcement patrols through the summer seasons.

The Brunswick County island has experienced what officials say has been a recurring trend during summers, when an influx of tourists visit the island and the numbers of complaints and 911 calls surge.

The resurgence of unruly behaviors this summer included suspected juveniles throwing balloons and eggs at passing golf carts, the primary form of transportation on an island where passenger cars are prohibited, other than government and contractor vehicles. Last summer, dozens of stop signs throughout the island were ripped up, the handiwork of teens who were never caught.

Property owners and parents opposed to a curfew said during a public hearing in early August that limiting the times during which teens can be out and about unaccompanied by an adult unfairly targets minors, punishes all for the actions of a few, is government overreach and would be bad PR for an island that advertises itself as “family friendly.”

Bald Head’s Public Safety Chief Josh Gibson told Coastal Review in an email response to questions last week that when he increased officer presence in certain areas of the island this summer, law enforcement observed a decrease in incidents.

“Over the past week or two we have seen a downward trend in all incidents as the population is continuing to decrease as the season comes to an end,” he wrote. “We are still looking into best options for increased officer presence during the season (Memorial Day to Labor Day). No plans have been made firm at this point.”

Gibson said that the village is currently looking at installing cameras at eight intersections on the island “as an initial phase rollout.”

The village communicates via social media, posts information on a bulletin board at the Island Package Center and post office, which is directly across from the Old Baldy lighthouse, a high-traffic area on the island, and welcome flyers are available to rental companies and at public buildings.

Bald Head Public Information Carin Faulkner told Coastal Review in an email that she is planning to host a hospitality meeting next month with rental property companies to discuss how those companies communicate with renters about island policies, additional ways in which they may disseminate information, and whether companies are disbursing all pertinent information to guests.

Residents and visitors to the island are required by village ordinance to have a valid driver’s license to drive a golf cart on the island.

Civil citations, which come with a fine, are issued to those caught violating that ordinance.