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Title: Welcome To Amerika: Family Fined, Threatened With Jail for Building a Sand Castle
Source:
Free Thought Project
URL Source: http://thefreethoughtproject.com/we ... il-for-building-a-sand-castle/
Published: Apr 1, 2017
Author: Matt Agorist
Post Date: 2017-04-01 14:32:49 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 20165
Comments: 146
Panama City Beach, FL — In the ostensible land of the Free, cops claim the legal authority to extort money from you, or even kidnap you for a slew of activities which have no victim. Window Tint, smoking a plant in you own home, not wearing your seatbelt, walking across the street, sagging your pants, and even juggling — can and will get you extorted, kidnapped, caged, or even killed. Now, as a recent case in Florida illustrates, we can add building a sand castle to that long list of victimless “crimes.” Bryant Rylee and his family were at the beach last week building an awesome sand castle when they were confronted by police. The officer, who was ‘protecting society’ by patrolling the beach for illegal sand castles, told the Rylees that their sand castle was in violation of the law. At first, Rylee thought the officer was joking. After all, he and his son were harming no one while building their most epic castle. In a Facebook post, Rylee explains that it is ‘illegal’ to build a sand castle with a hole deeper than two feet. However, he explained that their hole was only one foot deep, so there was no way it was in violation. It wasn’t the hole from which the cop was protecting society, though — it was Rylee’s son’s equipment that was criminal. According to their obscure ordinance, only plastic tools are allowed on the beach, and they had some metal ones. It is important to note that the officer explained to Rylee that she would let him off with a warning if he simply filled in the hole. But Rylee wasn’t buying it. He wanted to know what ordinance he was violating. It was Rylee’s questioning of authority which led to police escalating the call. When her authority was put into question, the officer brought in backup. Before the officer could tell Rylee which ordinance he was violating, the family was surrounded by police. In fact, four patrol units would show up and sit there for 20 minutes before any of them could produce the law which said metal beach toys were illegal. According to FEE: While Rylee, a devout Christian, says he supports law enforcement and prays “daily for their protection,” he also said on his social media account that, “I do believe that ‘we the people’ have a right to ask what ordinance number or to see the ordinance.” Rylee is absolutely correct. In the American legal system, there is a pillar of jurisprudence known as Mens rae, which is latin for “guilty mind.” The principle itself comes from the latin phrase actus reus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea, which translates to, “the act is not culpable unless the mind is guilty.” This is a standard test of criminal liability that asks the state to consider whether or not a person has broken a law knowingly before guilt can even be assessed. After it was all over, as Rylee explains, the construction of a sand castle cost him $25 and could’ve cost him $500 and up to 60 days in jail. When building a sand castle becomes a criminal act, it is high time we question where this ostensible Land of the Free is headed. Bryant Rylee added 5 new photos. This is the sand castle that cost me a $25 fine & could have cost me up to $500 & no more than 60 days in jail. Incase you didn't know, at Panama City Beach you can't dig deeper than 2ft & not exceeding 2ft long on the beach & you can't use any metal tools. I've been going to PCB for spring break for over 13 yrs, we've always built things digging with metal tools. So be sure you study your ordinances before you make a trip. My big mistake was asking the ordinance number & asking to see the ordinance. Apparently the beach patrol lady didn't like that so she called for back up... That's when three other units arrived on the scene. One officer said, if I'd just cover the castle, I wouldn't get a ticket but if I must inquire or see the ordinance, I will receive a ticket. It took them 20 minutes to find the ordinance & it's not exactly the way they quoted. It said "2ft deep" but it didn't say "not more than 2ft long" & since I had dug only about 1ft deep, I was only ticketed for my metal tools. I do support law enforcement & pray daily for their protection. And I do believe that "we the people" have a right to ask what ordinance number or to see the ordinance. So... How many cops does it take to shut down a sand castle bandit & his son? The answer is 4! Be careful out there!
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#46. To: misterwhite (#41)
There you go again "sense". There is moral and immoral. Not a sense of moral and a sense of immoral.
Unless I think they're immoral. I think I should be able to play my music as loud as I want, even if it keeps you awake all night.
No. That is not the way it works. It is more random and inconsistent. I might be pissed one day because someone said something that made me. Or I might think someone is an asshole. They don't get treated the same as someone that I like. That's just the way it is. Truth.
Not think, know.
Well you're a liar too then. Because you don't really think that. You really believe the opposite. So do I. So I wouldn't do it. Neither would you. You had to lie to try to make your point and all you did is help prove mine. Misterwhite- "I think I should be able to play my music as loud as I want, even if it keeps you awake all night." is a flat out lie. That is not moral it is immoral.
No….no….no….misterwhite! Wait, you simply don’t understand what went on here. Please….let me try to help you understand and carefully consider the facts. First of all, Bryant Rylee is from Moundville, Alabama. Yep, Moundville really is the name of the town. And in Moundville, it is Bryant Rylee’s duty to serve as a … … wait for it … … wait for it just a bit longer for it … Because in one article, it was explicatively pointed out that Bryant is … Maybe you can find it in your heart to somehow cut him a little slack….just a a tiny bit, maybe. For, you see … Ole Bryant was just “youth ministering” on this particular Sunday morning…. like a good old youth minister from Moundville, Alabama, should be doing. There you go …
Well now, it appears that Bryant Rylee believes in "do as I say, not as I do". Can I get an "Amen"?
You're right. I do. But if I lived next to you, I would play my music at maximum just to show you what it's like to live under your own philosophy. I make my own rules. I play my music loud at 3:00 AM. I think it's "moral" to do so, and I don't care what YOU think.
Bryant said he had been coming to Panama City Beach during spring breaks for the past 13 years. First of all, everyone knows….or should know….after all these years, what goes on at Panama City Beach during spring break. Therefore, this begs the attention of Bryant … Probably not to libertarians, anarchists and cop-haters …
You most certainly do….and a big AMEN at that … Cue, Sir Sidney Poitier …
Upon arriving at the scene, an officer told Bryant to simply fill the hole and remove the metal hoe from the beach. However, again … So, WTF, is Bryant’s beef? Bryant got what he wanted and he did what he said he would do. So what we have here folks with Bryant is NOT a … It is quite obvious that Bryant communicated his desires and intentions very clearly to the officer. Finally, Bryant posted on his social media account that … “We the Police” did not in any way deny Bryant that right….they graciously complied with his insistent request. So what we now have here, folks….is a showing that Bryant got his 15 minutes of fame and all the libertarians, anarchists and cop-haters, who wanted to do so, got the opportunity to once again bash law enforcement.. Hallelujah….and everyone should now be happy. Aije raison? I’d say the asshole, Bryant, is lucky that he dealt with some really benevolent cops. For, no doubt some officers would have taken action to see Bryant pay a $500 fine and spend up to 60 days in jail….the maximum sentence. N'est-ce pas vrai?
The judge should throw the case out on the basis that you can't charge someone just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce. The cops should know their ordinances before they enforce them. Particularly this officer who was assigned specifically to stop people from building big sand castles. I also think that the beach rules should be prominently posted or judges should be pretty lenient. The public should see a big sign or receive a handout telling them specifically what they can and can't do on the beach. Chicken shit tactics by the cops. The judge should not reward their laziness and ignorance of the ordinances they are empowered to enforce with guns and violence (if needed).
No, I would agree that prohibition is reasonable. Holes, however, if made in reach of high tide are filled in by the wave action. And of course, high tides are no more than 12 hours away. In the present case, it seems from the photo the sand castle construction was specifically located at the water's edge for the express purpose of challenging the forces of nature to take it down, and because of the police interference, we will never know if the sand castle would have survived.
A punishment you would find reasonable, I'm sure. ....until he was shown the ordinance. And whether the hole was actually a violation was even in question. Yes, I'm sure you would have. Marring the reputation of the city you'd work and harming it's economy by dissuading visitors from coming to the beach city is what you consider smart policing.
Nah. Just dissuading this jerk.
The judge should throw the case out on the basis that you can't charge someone just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce. AHEM … But wait, show me exactly where you read that Bryant Rylee …
… was charged just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce? Based on this from the article: It was Rylee’s questioning of authority which led to police escalating the call. When her authority was put into question, the officer brought in backup. It seems pretty obvious that she escalated and he got the ticket for insisting on knowing the ordinance. And she called backup and stalled for a while until someone figured out which ordinance they were trying to enforce. Then they wrote the ticket. But first he was offered the chance just to fill in the hole even though he was no less guilty of an ordinance infraction whether he filled the hole in or not.
And what evidence do you have to present that will show the Beach Rules were not propminently posted?
Based on this from the article … The article in no way shows that that as factual. You even said…”It seems pretty obvious …” What you are attempting to do, is pass off what “seems pretty obvious” to you….must be accepted as “factual reality” to all others. Stop trying to do that….please.
How dull your life must be to care so much over this minor incident. The fine officer didn't even shoot bother the guy's kid or his dog. I'm not sure how this even rated a headline at the Free Thought Project. I'll let you guys obsess over this virtual non-event of a non-national news story.
You shouldn't believe every headline you read. He wasn't ticketed for building a big sand castle. He was ticketed for digging a big hole. "The judge should throw the case out on the basis that you can't charge someone just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce." He was charged for violating the ordinance. However, the cop was willing to simply let him off with a warning if he filled in the hole. He refused. So she wrote the ticket.
No. She de-escalated by offering to give him a warning instead of a ticket -- if he filled in the hole. He refused, escalating the situation to a ticket. "But first he was offered the chance just to fill in the hole even though he was no less guilty of an ordinance infraction whether he filled the hole in or not." Correct. His guilt was never in question. Whether or not he was to be punished was. Had he filled in the hole, he would not have been. He chose his fate.
Code for: You guys are correct.
According to the headline, he was threatened with jail for building a sand castle. How's that for a ridiculous charge?
Yep. Like when the MSM made a big deal about the crowd size at Trump's inauguration using photos taken hours before the event. They went on and on and on. Then when Trump showed the photos during the inauguration proving that he was right, the MSM responded by saying, "Hey. Why are you so obsessed about this?"
Coming back to your comment … I cannot show you an example from the Panama City Beach, but posted below is a notice from Orange Beach, Alabama….just across the state line from the beaches in Florida. You will note in the “DO NOT” section of the Beach Notice, it specifically states …
Ah ha … The Panama City Beach Spring Break Rules Notice:
Yep. Like when the MSM made a big deal about the crowd size at Trump's inauguration using photos taken hours before the event. They went on and on and on. Then when Trump showed the photos during the inauguration proving that he was right, the MSM responded by saying, "Hey. Why are you so obsessed about this?" Yea, always the same. They will fight tooth and nail to their last breath to spin, duck and dodge everything and anything in order to promote their isolated opinion of what is right and wrong….while they absolutely refuse to ever admit the fact that they are/were wrong.
During the spring breaks at Panama City Beach, there have been numerous murders, rapes and drug/alcohol abuse arrests. Just a quick Internet search showed: Third person arrested in alleged spring break gang rape on crowded Panama City Beach - Source. Spring Break rapists get 10 years in prison - Source.
Code for: you're idiots to worry over this on a fine spring day.
Code for: you're idiots to worry over this on a fine spring day. Weather has nothing to do with being correct ... Besides, it beats the Hell out of discussing those Freedom Caucus assholes....Which I will do, if I must to keep setting you straight.
Part of the problem is that there is entirely too much fun in this country. We need to redefine the parameters of what is considered "fun" and thus provide limits to unsociable behavior. Then perhaps careless parents would be more likely rein in the behavior of their undisciplined offspring and so prevent them from creating hazards to life and limb for beachgoers on our national shores. Time for some sanity.
After you posted 25 articles about them, I just assumed you wanted ongoing non-stop coverage of them. I was only trying to please you. What an ingrate.
Ah, but you restricted it to “this on a fine spring day.” I just followed your lead....for once. You did not say anything about all other times …
Hey, when it's not the Freedom Caucus, it's the Libertarians!
You would sue the city, because they have a legal obligation (not so much as moral) to prevent accidents like this from happening. Unlike Malibu Beach, Ca, this is not a private beach as it belongs to the visitors to enjoy. You could also join the individual as well if you chose to and sue both parties for comparative damages (depending on who was more at fault; the one with the metal shovel 40% and the city 60% for their failure to provide public notice). Also attach compensatory damage for seeking declaratory relief.
I just noticed from Gatlin's post #71 they do reference in there about not digging large holes with metal shovels. So it appears the city does indeed have an ordinance posted somewhere on this beach but some people failed to read it. So, disregard my post #82. This dude would lose in court.
I thought you might want to know that the area about which you speak in Malibu is called “billionaire’s Beach” and it is not a “private beach”…. there is public access. There is no such animal as a “private beach” in California. In California, the area between the water line and the mean high tide line is public land by law. To put it simply, wet sand means public beach. In theory, anyone could walk the length of California's coast -- some 1,100 miles -- and never set foot on private property.
Part of the problem is that there is entirely too much fun in this country. Then perhaps careless parents would be more likely rein in the behavior of their undisciplined offspring and so prevent them from creating hazards to life and limb for beachgoers on our national shores. Time for some sanity.
Your picture is a not-so-subtle attempt to portray the father of the kids as irresponsible for taking his kids to that beach. Why are making yourself the sole arbiter of what parents should be allowed to do with their kids, when and where? Below is the scene referred to in the article. Your holier-than-though, self-righteousness is growing tiresome.
Comments (87 - 146) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestAssuming, of course, you can find enough people with your sense of morality.
#47. To: A K A Stone (#43)
"So it is your duty to obey moral laws."
#48. To: misterwhite, tooconservative (#41)
Isn't that the way we so things around here?
#49. To: misterwhite (#47)
"So it is your duty to obey moral laws." Unless I think they're immoral.
#50. To: misterwhite (#47)
(Edited)
I think I should be able to play my music as loud as I want, even if it keeps you awake all night.
#51. To: misterwhite (#44)
You don't think city ordinances should be enforced?
It is Bryant Rylee’s most responsible duty to:
Now, misterwhite, you gotta try hard to understand that ole Bryant obviously works hard at his job….being a youth minister for children.
”serve as a youth minister for the children of Moundville.” … a devout Christian, [who] says he supports law enforcement and prays “daily for their protection.”
God bless ole Bryant, misterwhite, you just gotta love him….that he actually prays “daily for the protection of all law enforcement.” This was the weekend spring break at Panama City Beach and what else should youth minister from Moundville be doing on a Sunday morning…except ministering to the children and teaching them by his shining example as a “devout Christian who prays daily for the protection of all law enforcement officers” the correct way to interact properly and safely with law enforcement.
Of course….that’s all that was happening here.
#52. To: Gatlin (#51)
#53. To: A K A Stone (#50)
"Because you don't really think that. You really believe the opposite."
#54. To: All (#51)
Why any responsibly intelligent parent would ever take a minor to Panama City Beach during spring break is beyond comprehension by any normal reasoning person.
Secondly, the ordinance prohibiting metal tools on the beach had recently been enacted because … "The [ordinance] was put in place because a couple of years ago, during Spring Break, we were having college kids dig holes that were probably larger than my desk, where they could play beer pong, we had some sexual assaults down there, we enacted where they couldn't take full size shovels down there, that's what the ordinance states, because kids were using them as weapons, fighting other kids," Panama City Beach Police Chief Drew Whitman said. 1
Geeze….does that sound like a plausible reason for the ordinance?
#55. To: misterwhite (#52)
Can I get an "Amen"?
#56. To: misterwhite, All (#55)
Bryant refused and insisted to see a copy of the ordinance that required him to do this.
The officer then told Bryant that if he and his son would just fill in the hole, and rescind his request to see the ordinance, Bryant would be let go without any citation or fine. 3 Bryant refused and insisted on paying a fine if he could at least see the ordinance that declared his son’s activities to be illegal. 2
It took officers 20 minutes get a copy of the actual ordinance….they showed it to Bryant. I do believe that ‘we the people’ have a right to ask what ordinance number or to see the ordinance.
#57. To: Gatlin (#56)
I do believe that ‘we the people’ have a right to ask what ordinance number or to see the ordinance.
#58. To: misterwhite (#26)
They also prohibit glass containers on the beach. Do you object to that also?
#59. To: misterwhite (#27)
How do you know she didn't do that? I'm saying she could have written a ticket costing him $500 and up to 60 days in jail.
99.99% of good citizens, realizing they were given a break, would fill in the hole and be done with it. This jagoff refused to do so.
At that point, I would have written the ticket for the full amount and let him plead his case with the judge. I'm not going to stand there and argue with some asshole after I was nice enough to offer him a way out.
#60. To: Pinguinite (#59)
"and harming it's economy by dissuading visitors from coming to the beach city"
#61. To: Tooconservative, misterwhite (#57)
I do believe that ‘we the people’ have a right to ask what ordinance number or to see the ordinance.
You are right when you say that the judge should throw the case out on the basis that you can't charge someone just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce. … was charged just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce?
Attention: MISTERWHITE. Have you seen any such ridiculous charge being made against Bryant Rylee?
#62. To: Gatlin (#61)
But wait, show me exactly where you read that Bryant Rylee …
It is important to note that the officer explained to Rylee that she would let him off with a warning if he simply filled in the hole. But Rylee wasn’t buying it. He wanted to know what ordinance he was violating.
#63. To: Tooconservative, misterwhite (#57)
I also think that the beach rules should be prominently posted …
#64. To: Tooconservative (#62)
But wait, show me exactly where you read that Bryant Rylee was charged just as punishment for asking what statute or ordinance they are trying to enforce?
Com’on, Bubba….GET REAL.
#65. To: Gatlin (#63)
And what evidence do you have to present that will show the Beach Rules were not propminently posted?
#66. To: Tooconservative (#57)
"Particularly this officer who was assigned specifically to stop people from building big sand castles."
#67. To: Tooconservative (#62)
"It seems pretty obvious that she escalated and he got the ticket for insisting on knowing the ordinance."
#68. To: Tooconservative, misterwhite (#65)
I'll let you guys obsess over this virtual non-event of a non-national news story.
#69. To: Gatlin (#61)
"Attention: MISTERWHITE. Have you seen any such ridiculous charge being made against Bryant Rylee?"
#70. To: Gatlin (#68)
"Code for: You guys are correct."
#71. To: Tooconservative (#57)
I also think that the beach rules should be prominently posted …
The beach rules are posted everywhere, not only on the beach but flyers are left in motel/hotel rooms, placed on vehicles and personally handed out to people approaching the beach. 
Dig large holes on the beach or have steel shovels.
#72. To: Tooconservative (#71)
We're proud you're considering visiting the World's Most Beautiful Beaches. In order to maintain public safety during spring break, we will be STRICTLY enforcing the following ordinances. -Chief Drew Whitman
I have to believe that with the wide distribution of these beach rules, there was no way that Bryant Rylee did not know what he was doing all the time….when he had the steel shovel on the beach and was digging a large hole. He has a Face Book page….he was seeking his 10 minutes of fame and he got it.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages on the sandy beach is prohibited during the month of March.
- Possession and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the commercial parking lots.
- All alcohol sales end at 2 a.m. throughout the entire month of March.
- Parking in a closed business' parking lot is prohibited.
- Overnight scooter rental is not permitted.
- It is illegal to climb, jump from or throw things from balconies.
- Parking is prohibited on unmarked or unpaved portions of the road after dark.
- Metal shovels are not permitted on the beach, and any holes dug in the sand not be deeper than two feet.
Violation of these laws will result in;
- Arrest and at least a night in the county jail
- A criminal record that will follow you past your spring break
- Up to a $500 fine or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 60 days.
#73. To: misterwhite (#70)
"Code for: You guys are correct."
#74. To: All (#73)
Panama City Spring Break shooter sentenced to seven life sentences - Source.
I simply cannot understand why….WHY…. Bryant Rylee, a man who describes himself as a “devout Christian,” would ever….EVER….take his young children to Panama City Beach during spring break with all the bad stuff happening there and making national news.
#75. To: Gatlin (#68)
Code for: You guys are correct.
#76. To: Tooconservative (#75)
Code for: You guys are correct.
#77. To: Pinguinite (#25)
and, yes, digging holes in the sand for purposes of beach fun is normal and acceptable in the USA
#78. To: Gatlin (#76)
Besides, it beats the Hell out of discussing those Freedom Caucus assholes...
#79. To: Tooconservative (#78)
#80. To: Tooconservative (#78)
After you posted 25 articles about them, I just assumed you wanted ongoing non-stop coverage of them.
#81. To: misterwhite (#16)
(Edited)
#82. To: misterwhite (#1)
(Edited)
So if I run along the public beach, fall in his hole, and injure myself on a metal tool, who do I sue -- him or the city?
#83. To: misterwhite, Gatlin (#81)
(Edited)
#84. To: goldilucky, misterwhite (#82)
(Edited)
Unlike Malibu Beach, Ca, this is not a private beach as it belongs to the visitors to enjoy.
#85. To: randge (#77)
… and, yes, digging holes in the sand for purposes of beach fun is normal and acceptable in the USA
This is insane….spring break at Panama City Beach: 
We need to redefine the parameters of what is considered "fun" and thus provide limits to unsociable behavior.
There have been murders, gang rapes and numerous other “unsociable behavior” happenings durint spring break in Panama City Beach. One guy is serving 4 [or more] life sentences for murder and one guy is serving 10 years for gang rape….there are more stories like this.
#86. To: Gatlin (#85)
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
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