'Truck Beach' drivers, neighbors battle for land use

A group of concerned residents says trucks and SUVs are creating unsafe conditions at a beach in Amagansett. Truck Beach is an area where vehicles are allowed on the beach. Cindi Crain, the founder

News 12 Staff

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Dec 4, 2015, 3:17 AM

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Updated 3,310 days ago

A group of concerned residents says trucks and SUVs are creating unsafe conditions at a beach in Amagansett.

Truck Beach is an area where vehicles are allowed on the beach. Cindi Crain, the founder of Safe Access for Everyone, says 140 families can't get to the shoreline.

"The drivers think that they come first, and that their needs and wants are more important than pedestrian safety," Crain says.

Crain filed a lawsuit against the truck and SUV drivers to ban them from driving up and down the beach during the summer and weekends.

The vehicles are allowed on the beach as long as they have the proper permit. Crain says it's endangering the dunes.

SAFE says that the dunes have protected homes from flooding and major storms over the years. The group representing trucks and SUVs, CfAR, say they don't buy that argument.

"Let's call it what it is, it's about relocating locals to create a private beach," says Tim Taylor.

Taylor is fighting Crain for continued access to drive on the beach. His group argues that they have responsibly driven on the beach for years.

Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell doesn't see any quick solution.

"I think that's going to be difficult to achieve in this case because the parties are very far apart."