Beachgoers celebrating the Fourth of July at Jacksonville Beach may notice two blocks of the beach are taped off.
Police closed off the beach from 3rd Avenue North to 5th Avenue North.
The popular Jacksonville Beach fishing pier parking lot is barricaded off as well.
Jacksonville Beach Police Sgt. Tommy Crumley said it’s a “public safety zone.”
Heads up: Beach closed from 5th Ave N to 3rd Ave N all day on #July4th for #fireworks set-up and show on the #JaxBeach pier. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/UpDDBSs5pp
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) July 4, 2017
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Damage from Hurricane Matthew destroyed 300 feet of the pier.
The city is not letting the damage stop them from setting up fireworks on the pier, but the shorter pier means the fireworks are closer to beachgoers.
“We’re really asking for the public’s understanding that it is a public safety zone, just in case there’s a malfunction with one of the fireworks or anything like that to keep people from being injured,” Crumley said.
Beachgoer Sandy Mulligan said she’s glad police are putting safety first, despite the inconvenience.
#HurricaneMatthew shortened #JaxBeach pier, where #fireworks being set up. That means it's closer to beach, so police blocked off safe zone. pic.twitter.com/Dq1VR7Grkw
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) July 4, 2017
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“When you get closer to the fireworks, the traffic is phenomenal that comes down here. I mean, that’s a lot of people. So I’d rather be safe than sorry,” Mulligan said.
Crumley said police are not sure what time those two blocks will reopen to the public.
He said it’s going to depend on how the fireworks go; if there are duds that don’t go off during the show, the area will have to stay closed off longer.
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