Duxbury: Beach sticker design change discourages fakes–so far

With temperatures estimated this week in the 90 degrees range, a crowded Duxbury beach is expected and fraudulent beach stickers won’t be far behind said Police Chief Matt Clancy, “We’re going to get them; we know it’s going to happen. We’ll see where this year takes us. Even just by this year’s change in the sticker it probably is going to slow down, at least the counterfeiting end of it.”

Last year, Duxbury’s Harbormaster Department seized a number of fake stickers both transferred from another vehicle and manufactured but Executive Director Jake Emerson explained the sticker which now is in the shape of a sheriff’s badge has been specially designed, “We got a permit so if you peel it off the windshield it disintegrates.”

According to Emerson, so far with their aggressive patrolling and new design, zero fraudulent stickers have been found.

Police Chief Clancy said three South Shore residents in possession of bogus stickers were charged last summer with trespassing on Duxbury Beach by vehicle and presenting a false document as legitimate, though two cases were later dismissed.

And with the cost of beach stickers increasing by $20 this year for non-residents, Chief Clancy said the Duxbury Police periodically patrols online websites like Craigslist in order to uncover the fake sticker manufacturer.

Chief Clancy said they had leads in 2011 and were watching a few printing shops but were never able to charge someone with manufacturing. The case remains open.

Duxbury: Beach sticker design change discourages fakes--so far [ 0:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (20)