RCMP To Pitch A Tent At Nude Beach

News of the RCMP's plans to pitch a tent at a Vancouver nude beach has angered beach bums — and bare bums.

The UBC RCMP plans to set up a collapsible tent on Wreck Beach every afternoon from the May long weekend until Labour Day, reports The Province. But Sgt. Drew Grainger insists this will protect the public, and is not designed to take down those who are abiding by the rules.

“We know drugs and alcohol will be sold on the beach no matter how heavy-handed we are,” Grainger told the newspaper. “The idea is to proactively enhance our presence on the beach ... If it gets to the point where you’re risking yourself or putting others at risk, we will move in.”

But the Wreck Beach Preservation Society's Judy Williams said the tight-knit community has been self-policing for years, and she's worried an increased police presence will give off the impression that the beach is unsafe, reports Metro. Williams told the newspaper she thinks the tent is being erected because of the boozy "freezie" incident.

Earlier this year, Vancouver's Alana Thomson was charged with selling frozen alcoholic treats at the clothing-optional beach. The 31-year-old faced charges including possession of drugs for the purposes of trafficking, and manufacturing and selling the treats without a licence. She was fined $10,000 after pleading guilty in provincial court, The Province reports.

But Thomson aside, people seem positive that the people at Wreck can take care of themselves.

"I think Wreck is good at maintaining its own etiquette there, and I think that’s why it stays safe," Natasha Wahid, an avid visitor of the beach, told Vice Magazine in February (shortly after Thomson was charged).

"Actually, I've seen beachgoers get way more out of hand at Jericho Beach in [Kitsilano] ... There’s not the same kind of respectful etiquette. I, personally, haven’t ever noticed a ton of cops, but I’ll be looking out for them [this summer]."