Story By: Amanda Morales, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News
Locals on a picture postcard Mexican beach have narrowly avoided losing their treasured Blue Flag status after acting quickly to eradicate an act of vandalism where someone painted “I Love You” on rocks.
The incident took place at La Palmilla Beach in the municipality of Los Cabos in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and the photos were later shared on social media.
A complaint was filed with the local authorities and members of the municipal Coordination of the Federal Terrestrial Maritime Zone (ZOFEMAT) were sent to the beach to confirm that there had been an act of vandalism.
On the front of a large rock, someone had daubed in large letters: “I Love You Elizabeth.”
ZOFEMAT officials led by Javier Ontiveros Fabian promptly took their cleaning equipment and removed the unsightly graffiti.
They reportedly used chemicals and a grinder to sand down any remaining traces of red spray paint although this could have potentially raised questions about polluting the beaches clear waters.
Ontiveros Fabian said: “One of our municipality’s key economic activities is tourism and one of the reasons why Los Cabos is able to compete internationally with other destinations is because of the quality of our beaches”
Following the clean-up job, the beach was told its Blue Flag certification was safe and its status as a ‘Sustainable Clean Beach’ award confirmed by the regulatory body Mexican Standard.
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