FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. – Two looters were caught stealing sand that is being used to rebuild Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian.
Massive piles of sand are scattered across Fort Myers Beach, being used for the emergency berm project.
Julie Allen lives in Fort Myers Beach. She witnessed two men shoveling sand into the trunk of their car next to the Wyndham Garden Hotel. She said moments later a Good Samaritan drove up to the looters blocking them from getting away.
Soon after, Allen said the town’s environmental project coordinator showed up on a golf cart and made the looters scoop the sand out of their car and put it back. He said he wouldn’t call the police- if they promised not to do this again.
Allen said she heard the looters saying that they work down the street and their boss told them to go get sand.
The town of Fort Myers Beach put out a message on social media on Friday and said the sand is not free and told people not to steal it. They confirmed there has been at least one case of sand looting and said it has been dealt with.
Councilmember Bill Veach said, “This is part of an emergency berm project. We’re putting the sand down for summer storms for protection along the beach and for people’s houses along the beach, but more importantly, it’s important for sea turtles.”
Veach said, “It’s disappointing; I mean we’re trying to recover the sand is important for the health of the beach and the protection of the properties.”
Veach said one truckload of sand costs approximately $700 to $800.
“The sand is not free the sand. It’s people who have paid for the sand. It’s being out down on the beach for a service,” said Veach.
People on Fort Myers Beach were shocked to hear the sand is being stolen.
Glenn Beiuve said, “I think it’s crazy all they’re trying to rebuild is a disaster zone and people are stealing sand from the beach when they’re trying to recover.” “I just think it’s crazy. It’s nuts. What are they stealing for, playgrounds back home?”
Taylor Hartinger and Bara Brockackova said, “I don’t understand why someone would do that especially when they are trying to rebuild after the hurricane. That makes no sense, and that’s just disrespectful to the community.”
Howard Zeifaman said, “I’m offended that they would take it upon themselves to deplete something we need on the beach.” “If it’s a tourist from another country and they want to take a handful, fine but don’t back a car up to it and take it. It’s offensive.”
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April 15, 2023 at 10:08PM
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Looters caught stealing sand used to rebuild Fort Myers Beach - NBC2 News
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