:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/QZ3GKZ77YOCF62YCIIM3IGILCU.jpg)
By all accounts it was a quiet, successful fireworks show in Jacksonville Beach Friday night but on the sideline, police have arrested two people they believe are responsible for posting dozens of stickers around town with a message that the mayor says isn't healthy for the town's economy.
The stickers say "Townies Go Home" and they started appearing not long after the beach brawl on Memorial Day.
"Whoever's doing it, I'd really appreciate it if you'd stop," says Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham
Latham tells our partner Action News it sends the wrong message to visitors and can ultimately hurt local businesses that depend on visitors.
"You know, really a nasty message that doesn't reflect the feelings of the people who live and work here
One local man told Action that quote "townies" can bring trouble, often infuriating locals by leaving trash on people's private property.
"Leaving all their litter...empty bottles, cans, broken glass on people's private property, and that's why the locals get infuriated."
Others say it's not right to have such an unfriendly attitude toward visitors especially in a place like Jacksonville Beach that thrives on tourism.
"I think it's sad that people can't be more accepting and welcoming," says resident Jennifer Burns.
Another resident says while it would be nice if the same people who made the mess helped clean it up, in the grand scheme of things it's not one big group of people causing trouble at the beach, but individuals, and she says THOSE are the people that need to be kept out.
"You wanna come out and just light fireworks off all night but you don't wanna come back the next day and clean it up."
Jason Swanson and Matthew Sugden-Kirsh were arrested and charged with criminal mischief and make their first court appearance Friday morning.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/HJ3L3HBBJBH6PB5ZFB3SVGFXSU.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SKX4RKW645ERTATCLA4V2FVRKQ.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SCWUKX27NRFXVFR2KCQYQ3ZPQY.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/K6OREARNAFCUVNXWZV2C57LXIU.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/V7JDMMD6JJEEHIL6C7OSLV3ABU.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/KFLQQYLCKJO75DYAQHQGC4DT4Y.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7AQKIKCUOHBKFJBB6YD4Y2Q54U.jpg)
Sign Up
