California Mayor Says Poppy Viewers Could Face Arrest

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

California Mayor Says Poppy Viewers Could Face Arrest
After chaos of 2019 'super bloom,' Lake Elsinore wants visitors to stay away



A small California city that was overrun by visitors four years ago when heavy winter rains produced a "super bloom" of wild poppies has a message for the public after this year's deluge: Do not come.

You could be arrested. The poppies are beginning to bloom but so far on a small scale—and the canyon where they grow and parking areas are now completely off-limits, Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson told a press conference where she recounted the chaos of 2019. "The flowers were beautiful; the scene was a nightmare," Johnson said. "This weekend I encourage you to focus on the Super Bowl and not the super bloom that we’re not having,” she said.

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People illegally parked their cars along the freeway and neighborhoods were so gridlocked that parts of the city were essentially severed, affecting emergency services and the ability of residents to go to stores and work, Johnson said. People waited for hours in queues to see the canyon and many were unprepared for the hike, resulting in injuries.

California Highway Patrol Lt. Craig Palmer said the agency has already begun saturation patrols of the area. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco warned that there will be zero tolerance for parking violations and the result could be a citation, a vehicle being towed, or worse. "It is a misdemeanor infraction, and you're subject to arrest and booking into jail," Bianco said.

https://www.newser.com/story/331350/california-mayor-says-poppy-fields-are-off-limits.html

[Blues Heron]

1. Fuck the Super Bowl, let's all go to lake Elsinore to see the blooms!

Who does she think she is? We have freedom in this country. What kind of mayor tells people to stay away instead of welcoming them and figuring where they can park?

[XanaDUer2]

2. My friends in Cali specifically want us to see the blooms

Guess not now

[Blues Heron]

4. They have had 4 years to come up with a contingency plan.

All she can come up with is watch football on TV.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

3. I agree... The only other thing Lake Elsinore has going for it its big lake - but the lake has

problems with algae blooms. Figure out a way to profit off the tourists... sell tshirts or something. Convert the school to parking lots on weekends. make it a positive.

[Blues Heron]

5. Exactly - make it a positive!

[Journeyman]

7. Use the schools and anywhere else they can for parking, then charge $18 for a bus ride . . .

schlep people into the canyon but totally restrict where they can walk. People will still flock to see the colors and the city businesses would profit big-time selling lunch and assorted sundry to visitors from far and wide.

Just takes a modicum of thought to make beaucoup bucks.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

9. you are making too much sense... stop it!

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

11. Mayor of LA tried to discourage people from being outside to watch the space shuttle trucked through

LA from LAX to the museum. LA people said "EFF THAT!" and turned out in force to watch.

[Faux pas]

6. ...

Years ago I went to Elsinore several times and the water was always green. Lol we were young and had access to a boat

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

8. I was there about 4 years ago...and water was green, warning signs to stay away

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

12. was it? i cant imagine that

[DBoon]

13. so was the Salton Sea at one time

"the party is over"

[2naSalit]

16. It was!

I remember going there to camp with friends. Last time I saw it, it wasn't worth seeing.