Via FAIL Blog, this Orange County sign:
The references are to the Orange County Codified Ordinances. The ordinances read:
Sec. 2-5-49. – Diving/jumping.
No person shall dive or jump into any body of water in park, beach or any recreational area from any pier, bridge, rock or precipice other than at those places designated and posted for diving or jumping by the Director, as authorized by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Violation of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 2-5-49.1. – Landing in water after having jumped or dived.
No person shall land in any body of water in any park, beach or recreational area after having jumped or dived from any pier, bridge, rock or precipice above such body of water, other than at those places designated and posted for diving and jumping by the Director, as authorized by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Violation of this section shall be an infraction.
Despite the similar construction, I think the two statutes prohibit two different acts. I added bold to the ordinances to try to make some sense out of them. The first prohibits jumping from an undesignated pier, while the second prohibits jumping into an undesignated body of water from any pier, designated or not. For example, a pier may be designated as appropriate for diving, but only in the deep water off the end. It would not be an infraction to jump from the middle of the pier, but it would be an infraction to enter the water under the middle of the pier after having jumped therefrom, because that water was not also designated for jumping.
At least, that’s the only way the second ordinance makes any sense to me. These are still wrecks of legislation, and this is still a wreck of a sign. Orange County lawmakers need to get off their lazy asses and write laws that clearly indicate what is prohibited. Or better, sell the parks and public beaches to private entities and let those entities make the rules and signs.
