(Matthew Du, NewsUSA Reporter) - Wealthy California homeowners in Aptos were reported to have been fined nearly $5 million for barricading along the public pathway to the beach. The fences were placed to prevent non-residents from entering the coastal area. Such is illegal in California law. It is also possible that the fences were erected due to security issues in luxury housing so close to public property. 

However, Article X Section 4 states that the California beaches are public property. No private entity can prevent residents and visitors from entering the beach area. The beaches are also not open to any private ownership. Therefore the public should be given free rein to access, enter, and cross it.