Keystone Heights council urges tougher response after park vandalism; sheriff involved

Keystone Heights city leaders said they will press law enforcement and explore stronger local responses after repeated vandalism at public parks and the beach.

City Manager Jamie Booth told the council that surveillance footage showed a young man riding an e-bike that burned a hole through the tennis-court surface and damaged the Trex decking at the beach pavilion. Booth said the Clay County Sheriff’s Office “very quickly responded,” identified the individual and issued a two-year trespass warning; staff estimated the direct repair cost to the tennis court at about $1,200.

In questions that followed, councilmembers pushed for measures that would deter future incidents, ranging from increased patrols to letters asking prosecutors to consider community-service conditions tied to restitution. City Attorney Rich explained municipal limits: under local ordinance the most the city can pursue is essentially a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and restitution, while more substantial sanctions (and different remedies) depend on county or state prosecutors.

“Sometimes they may decide in their discretion that it’s not worth filing a case,” Rich said, urging coordination with the sheriff’s office and noting the role for restitution where criminal charges are filed. Several councilmembers volunteered to sign a letter to the sheriff asking for stricter penalties in repeat cases and for more visible weekend enforcement near the beach and other hotspots.

The council did not adopt a new ordinance at this meeting but directed staff to draft a letter to law enforcement and to explore options for code-enforcement coverage on weekends. The city also indicated it will publish images from surveillance when appropriate to assist investigations.