Ocean Beach, New York
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Ocean Beach is a village located in Suffolk County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 138.
The Village of Ocean Beach is in the south part of the Town of Islip. During the summer season the population increases many times due to the influx of tourists.
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Geography
Ocean Beach is located on western part of Fire Island between the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Ocean Beach is located at 40°38'52" North, 73°9'28" West (40.647743, -73.157729)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.4 km² (0.1 mi²). 0.4 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 138 people, 61 households, and 35 families residing in the village. The population density is 380.6/km² (967.1/mi²). There are 595 housing units at an average density of 1,640.9/km² (4,169.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the village is 96.38% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 1.45% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 2.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 61 households out of which 29.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% are married couples living together, 8.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% are non-families. 29.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.26 and the average family size is 2.91.
In the village the population is spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 126.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 120.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village is $48,125, and the median income for a family is $49,375. Males have a median income of $41,719 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the village is $28,782. 11.5% of the population and 15.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.6% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The Land of No
There are a number "funky" laws to the uninitiated in effect in Ocean Beach. This is why regular visitors and residents have affectionatly dubbed OB the land of No. Here are a few examples that may catch you off guard:
- Bicycle Riding, while no longer banned outright, is restricted in the Summer Season to the hours of 5am to 8pm Monday thru Thursday and 5am to 7pm on Fridays. Bicycle riding is illegal on Saturday and Sunday.
- All bicycles must be equipped with a bell and a flash light after dark. Yes Biking after dark will get you a ticket, and not having a flash light will get you another one. In the law's defense, it does apply to the off-season too when bike riding is allowed at any time but the bell and light are still required.
- Bike riding in the commercial district, better known as "In Town", is not permitted at any time during the Summer Season.
- Scooters, skateboards & roller blades are restricted to the same area and time frame but are additionally only allowed by those 12 years old or younger. Helmets are required regardless of age, no joke.
- Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way and you are expected to stop and look before crossing Midway (The East West walk running the Width of the Village)
- The ban on Eating and Drinking on the walks has been reduced as well. At one time you could not eat or drink anything on the walks anywhere in Ocean Beach. Now it is permitted in the commercial district, the opposite of where biking is allowed. Glass drink containers and alcoholic beverages are not allowed though. Littering is a big no no too, and carries a hefty fine. Eating and Drinking is also disallowed on the beach overpasses (wooden steps over the dunes to the ocean) and on the beach itself.
- If you want to barbecue you need a permit. Propane only, flame proof base required, and the area must be inspected before you can receive your permit, which must renewed every summer.
- Mind your noise pollution when you party. Ocean Beach's noise law states if sound can be heard beyond the property line you are in violation of the law and can be ticketed. I always found this amusing because it seems to indicate that if one stands in their front yard and whispers to someone in the street, they are breaking the law. It is really only enforced if you are being a nusance though.
- Guys listen up! The topless laws apply to you too when you are off the beach and in town. No shirt, no service, and a summons. Shoes are still optional for the most part though.
- All trash put out for collection must be in bags which in turn must be in cans which in turn must have lids! Your cans also have to be removed from the walkway before 10am the next day!
- Dogs must be on a leash in public at all times (You'll note the local's dogs which are on leashes but on their own LOL). You also must have a pooper scooper with you at all times when walking your dog. A plastic bag in your back pocket will do, (pun hehe) but some fecal conveyance is required.
- Dogs are not permitted on the beach between May 15 and Sept. 15
- Frisbees, Ball playing, kite flying, radios without headphones, disrobing, and unattended minors are not permitted on the beach.
The police officers in Ocean Beach are generally polite and courteous and just want to promote a safe and fun environment for everyone. There are reasons for the laws and they understand they can be unwittingly violated. If you are ever stopped, just say you were unaware and that you will obey the rules in the future. You'll probably get off with just a warning. Making a fuss is a quick way to ruin your Saturday morning sitting in the court room.
Lastly, a note on the theft of Bicycles. This is crime Numero Uno in Ocean Beach. Lock your bike whenever you aren't using it. Even if it is behind your house, in the bushes, which is behind a gate. Bicycle Theft is on the same level as grand theft auto or Horse Theft in the minds of many residents. Don't expect any leniency if you take someone's bike. It is taken quite seriously. Bikes also belong to Volunteer Fire Fighters and EMS workers who need them to respond to calls and emergencies. If you or your kid is hurt, or your house is burning you down, you don't want to hear the FD or EMS was late because someone stole a bike. Second only to Bike theft is Wagon Theft. What may just be a child's toy on the Mainland is a necessity on Fire Island. When you get off the ferry with 12 bags of groceries for the weekend barbecue, you will know why.
These kinds of thefts may seem petty, but you could be charged with Larceny or Grand Larceny, a felony. It is also a big deal to those who need their bikes to get to work or do their work, like contractors doing emergency repairs, etc.