Extra law enforcement at Silver Beach this 4th of July

ST. JOSPEH, Mich. -- The Berrien County Sheriff's Office says there will be extra staff at Silver Beach over the 4th of July holiday and the weekend.

Authorities remind the public this is a family friendly beach, and they will be enforcing the rules at the beach.

Sheriff Charles Heit stated there will be zero tolerance to any alcohol and reminds everyone marijuana is not allowed at the park.

Heit also released the number of violations at Silver Beach since 2020.

Heit says there was an increase in citations for alcohol violations in 2023 because they had more dedicated coverage with the use of their School Resource Officers last summer.

The violation numbers are below:

2023

• 150 Citations for alcohol violations
• 3 Citations for marijuana violations
• 7 Citations for disorderly conduct

 2022

• 63 Citations for alcohol violations
• 3 Citations for marijuana violations
• 3 Dogs on the beach violations

 2021

• 83 Citations for alcohol violations
• 5 Citations for marijuana violations
• 3 Citations for disorderly conduct

 2020

• 74 Citations for alcohol violations
• 10 Citations for marijuana violations
• 1 Citation for disorderly conduct