One or more vandals damaged thousands of dollars worth of beach umbrellas at the Key Colony complex this weekend, snapping wood poles in two. Police were notified and officials are checking security records to determine who may be responsible.

The 14 umbrellas were anchored in the sand near the south property line, said David McDanal, the president of the Key Colony Homeowners’ Association. “It’s really, really sad, to just snap them like that,” he said. Each umbrella will cost $400 to $500 to replace. “They’re not cheap.” The destruction appears to have happened the evening of Sept. 27 or the morning hours of the 28th, when condo workers noted the snapped umbrellas. It’s not clear if they can be repaired. Key Colony, the island’s largest condo complex, maintains the umbrellas and chaise lounge furniture as amenities for its residents and their guests. The chairs are removed each evening and secured near the beach, but the umbrellas – about 30 – are not, McDanal said.

 

McDanal said he had recently been looking to improve security camera capability on the Atlantic Ocean beach before the incident. He said he is hoping that newer, 4K night camera technology can help better scan the beach, which can be difficult to monitor at night. Lights are not feasible because of regulations protecting sea turtles.

Vandalism has been a vexing problem on the island. In January 2021, four chickee huts at the Beach Club were set ablaze. Other incidents have involved golf carts being driven on Village Green playing fields, soap being placed in fountains and a koi pond, and rat poison in the Dog Park.

The Village is upgrading its security cameras in several locations. The new 2025 budget includes funding for two additional police officers and measures taken in response to an increasing caseload and more arrests.