Thornton State Beach goers in Daly City upset after fence put up, blocking access

DALY CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- A battle is brewing over public beach access on the Peninsula after a new fence recently appeared.

And what's more, there are even signs threatening to shoot trespassers.

The fence was erected by a man, whom many believe, isn't even the rightful owner of the property.

"For this to be cut off completely is disturbing and unsettling and disgusting I think for anybody to have the audacity to do this."

There's growing anger for people near Thornton State Beach in Daly City.

Two weeks ago, public access to a popular path leading down to the water was cut off after a fence suddenly appeared.

"These fences, in my opinion, are illegal," said San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa, whose office has been made aware of the fence.

He has since reached out to the California Coastal Commission asking them to intervene.

Canepa tells ABC7 not only is blocking public access to state beaches against the law, he believes the people who put up the fence might not even own the property.

"We may have a squatter issue. Meaning there are people who have their RVs here unpermitted. They may have just taken this land," he said.

Several neighbors say there have been multiple hostile incidents between the people who put up the fence and the public trying to access the beach path.

Nearby businesses, such as Ocean View Stables, say they are unaffiliated with the fence and upset by it being put up.

The fence also has several private property signs attached to it.

That includes one, which was recently taken down, that threatens to shoot trespassers.

"He's got a real checkered history. And, unfortunately, what kind of goes with knowing who he is and what his history is it's a lot of kind of bad feelings and then to see a sign saying he's got a gun," said Gary Ellis.

The dispute is expected to be discussed by the Daly City city council on Monday, and Supervisor Canepa says he plans to address it during the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors meeting the next day.

Because for the people out here, they just want access to the beach once again.

"Thornton Beach is a state beach, but we want to make sure that access is granted," said Canepa.