I am writing to you today to comment on the article on South Shore Beach in the Thursday, April 12 Sakonnet Times.

The Little Compton Beach Commission and management work very hard to keep residents happy with their experience at South Shore. During COVID, a policy of allowing only resident and season pass holders in before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m. was developed. The beach commission voted to keep this policy in place when the state dropped its COVID mandates. There is no other beach that I know of that gives residents this kind of preferential treatment.

As to the comment about overcrowding in the parking lot, South Shore sold 4,000 less tickets in 2022 than 2018. We also park less cars than we did pre-Covid. There is an emergency access plan in place. It keeps the beach-side lane wider and turnarounds at lifeguard stand three and the gate large enough to turn around large emergency vehicles.

Access down to the beach can be difficult at times. We are an all-natural beach and Mother Nature changes our topography daily. Many years ago, we traded in our ATVs for a GATOR that gave us a better ability to help people onto the beach. Anyone needing assistance only has to ask a gate attendant or a lifeguard.

As far as safety is concerned, South Shore is one of the best-trained and equipped beaches in New England. South Shore is one of only two USLA certified beaches in Rhode Island.

I realize that we are never going to keep everyone happy, but we do have an open ear, and we will try our best to make the South Shore experience pleasurable.

W. James Farrell III

Little Compton

Farrell, the director of Little Compton Town Beaches,is also president of the United States Lifesaving Association New England region, a USLA national compliance officer and American Red Cross WSI, CPR, Lifeguarding, LGI and LGIT instructor. The beach can be reached via e-mail at southshorebeach@gmail.com or by phone at 401-239-4818.