Ischia – Beach umbrellas forcibly moved, public beaches reduced to private property, and managers ready to "expand" their space well beyond the limits of their concession.
This is the scenario that the Coast Guard , Carabinieri and ASL technicians found themselves facing this morning on Maronti beach , the longest and busiest coastline on the island.
The operation was triggered by a flurry of complaints and reports from residents complaining about illegal occupation and bullying by some operators. Among the reported incidents, a family was rudely evicted from the public beach: their umbrella, which had been properly set up, was allegedly ripped off and thrown into the air by an employee managing the pedal boat rental.
The group, intimidated but determined not to let it slide, turned to MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli (Green-Left Alliance), filing a formal complaint.
A few dozen meters away, the military observed another controversial situation: a beach resort manager allegedly placing umbrellas and sun loungers on portions of the public beach, ready to resell them to new customers as if they were part of his concession.
A practice that, according to residents, has been repeated for some time and which has made the Maronti shoreline an area of private conquest to the detriment of the community.
Borrelli's visit, which included meeting with residents and operators, fueled the debate: "What's happening at Maronti," the MP stated, "is a snapshot of a widespread phenomenon in many coastal areas, where crafty individuals plan to transform public beaches into private areas, governed by the law of the strongest. We need to respond decisively: public beaches must remain free. The state must demonstrate its strength over widespread lawlessness, which risks becoming the norm."
The parliamentarian's call is clear: strengthen controls and not let down our guard in the face of a management model that risks excluding those who can't afford paid beach access.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have initiated administrative checks and investigations into the legality of the concessions. Fines and measures are not excluded against those who, in various capacities, have transformed a stretch of sea open to all into a "private treasury."
Chronicles of Campania
Torre del Greco: Historic tourist facility on the beach seized
A historic tourist facility on the Torre del Greco coast has been placed under preventive seizure by the Coast Guard as part of Operation "Mare…
Finally, checks, not just at this beach, but at all, so people aren't forced to pay for a day at the beach.
I read the article and it seems to me that there are serious problems with public beaches. It's unfair that people can't use the beach without being kicked out. Enforcement needs to be increased, otherwise the situation will worsen.