A man was expelled from a beach after putting a towel in the sand as his son swam. The case generated controversy for involving a child with disabilities and exposing a little known local law between tourists and occasional visitors.
According to Executive Digest, the beach in question is in Rimini, Italy, and is subject to a new coastal legislation that came into force this year. This rule determines that the first 20 meters of the coastal strip should remain free for circulation, and the placement of towels, umbrellas, sun loungers or other personal goods is prohibited in this area.
Rule aims to keep free space next to water
The measure was implemented in order to ensure that the area next to the water remains accessible to all bathers and for safety operations. However, according to the same source, those responsible for the management of the beaches are applying the norm with great rigidity, even in particular situations.
The citizen involved, Roberto Fabio Prestigiacomo, told Corriere di Bologna that he was with his son, who has a slight disability recognized by Italian law. He explained that he did not intend to reserve place on the beach, but only temporarily keep his belongings while his son took a dive.
Roberto said that his son cannot remain quiet for a long time, so they choose to walk along the beach and stop by water for short periods. “We usually walk and stop in the beach area, near the water, where I keep my things for a few minutes while it nothing,” he told the same source.
Beach worker asked them to withdraw
According to the same source, it was shortly after extending the towels that a beach employee approached them. The worker told them that they could not stay there and demanded his departure, which eventually generated discomfort.
The father stated that the episode was not isolated. According to Corriere di Bologna, similar situations had already occurred on other occasions during the week, but this time the tone of the warning was especially unpleasant.
“It made no sense to reserve places or loungers, because we were alone and in constant motion,” explained Roberto, stressing that the goal was only to allow his son to swim for a few moments.
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Also according to the same source, Roberto said that they do not always have the possibility of attending public beaches. In Rimini, most bathing zones are concessioned and there are few free areas, which in turn get more distant and less practical access.
The situation has raised questions about how these rules should be applied, especially in cases involving people with specific needs or particular family circumstances.
According to the same source, the coastal law has been a cause for debate, especially because it does not provide for clear exceptions or assessment mechanisms case by case. Its application, in practice, has been the criterion of workers who generate the bathing spaces.
Tighter rules on Italian beaches
The coastal legislation that motivated the expulsion of Roberto and his son is only one of several that have been adopted in several Italian coastal regions. According to Executive Digest, these measures seek to order the use of bathing space, but have generated criticism for its rigidity.
Several media in Italy have reported similar episodes, where tourists and places are confronted with sanctions for putting objects in the sand, even for short periods. In many cases, visitors themselves are not informed about the rules in force.
The episode in Rimini shows the consequences of this approach, when applied adamantly to delicate situations. Also according to the same source, there is no indication that Roberto resisted or deliberately violated the rule.
According to the case, the case continues to be discussed locally, with some residents and visitors questioning the proportionality of the response. To date, local authorities have not issued any official statement about the incident.
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