As college students across the US flock to warmer weather in Florida for spring break, authorities across the Sunshine State are preparing for the influx by announcing latest rules, curfews, and extra police.
In the course of the pandemic in 2021 and 2022, students migrated to Florida to benefit from the relatively relaxed COVID-19 policies, low-cost flights and hotels. These aspects created an ideal storm and created a nightmare for law enforcement personnel in beach towns along the state’s coast.
In 2023, authorities are coming prepared to tackle potentially rowdy young adults.
In Latest Smryna Beach, safety has been at the highest of the mind for individuals who live and work there after last yr’s chaotic spring break.
“Twenty years I’ve been here for spring break, and that was the primary time that I’ve ever seen any serious issues,” Alice Muskey, owner of Treats on the Beach, told Fox 35.
Last yr’s chaos forced city commissioners to scramble and implement a short lived curfew, which authorities carried over to this yr.
“We will just tell the children it’s time to go home. We don’t want you to congregate in large groups like we saw last yr,” interim police chief Eric Feldman said.
Along with the 11 p.m., curfew for teens 17 and younger, this spring break, residents and business owners can expect a stronger police presence.
Feldman announced Tuesday a command post might be parked on the beach lot on Flagler, equipped with cameras to keep watch over the shore and down the avenue. Nearby business owners may have a direct line to it to report any concerns.
There may even be officers from different departments across Volusia County parked on the beach and at every intersection on Flagler.
Hoping to avoid a repeat of last yr, those that work and live in the realm are thankful for these much-needed improvements.
“What they didn’t do last yr was they didn’t get ahead of things because they didn’t realize it’s gonna occur,” Seahorse Inn co-owner Terry Stephens shared with Fox 35. “They’re attempting to get ahead of it, and I feel that’s a very good thing.”
In Miami’s South Beach, officials warned visitors to expect heavier traffic, street closings, special events and law enforcement crackdowns.
“We’re going to actually let people know that in the event that they’re coming here, we wish them to behave, and we’re going to have police to be sure that that everyone is secure, our residents and our visitors.” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber announced.
In line with city spokesperson Melissa Berthier, parts of Ocean Drive might be closed to all vehicles.
Along with an increased police presence, officials announced a series of spring break rules including: a $20 flat rate for city parking garages within the entertainment district, nightly fire inspections on weekends, and double lifeguard staffing “as needed” in South Beach.
Similarly, Okaloosa and Walton county sheriff offices have preemptively announced spring break laws ahead of a busy month of March.
“It’s no questions asked,” said Sgt. Kyle Corbitt with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office shared in a press release. “For those who’re caught in possession of alcohol underage or breaking every other law, you’re going to get charged.”
Panama City Beach leaders reminded the general public on Wednesday in a public service announcement that the spring breaks laws have begun and might be “strictly enforced.”
“Our goal is to offer a secure and enjoyable environment for our residents and visitors,” said Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R Talamantez. “You’ll be able to rejoice here without being involved in illegal activities. Be responsible and act inside the boundaries of the law. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding.”
Included in Panama City’s spring break laws is a prohibition on the sale of alcohol from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. As well as, the consumption of alcohol on the sand beach is prohibited at any time for the whole thing of March.
Other city ordinances include:
- Loitering in parking lots or on the shoulder of the roadway is strictly prohibited.
- The consumption of alcohol in parking lots and in vehicles isn’t allowed.
- Riding on the outside of vehicles, including sitting on the sting of window sills and standing up through the sunroof, is strictly prohibited.
- Loud music which disturbs the peace is prohibited. Music heard greater than 25 feet away is illegitimate.
- Climbing, jumping from, or throwing things from balconies isn’t allowed.
- No metal shovels are allowed on the sandy beach, and digging holes deeper than two feet is prohibited. Any holes dug needs to be properly filled in for the protection of all.
Panama City officials shared that police might be patrolling all beach areas. Students arrested for violating any of the above spring break laws will serve a minimum of 1 night in jail and potentially serve as much as 60 days in addition to paying a wonderful as much as $500.
In 2022, Panama City officials arrested 161 individuals over a spring break weekend and that officers seized 75 guns amid their clashes with these individuals, WRIC reported.
“What we saw this past weekend is totally unacceptable. Period,” said Police Chief J.R. Talamantez, who confirmed that several businesses closed their doors on Friday because the crowds gathered and disrupted the conventional flow of business.
“These are the style of individuals that we’re facing,” he added. “Throwing beer bottles at law enforcement officials. Shooting right down the road. There have been blue lights up and down the road as these shootings took place. The blatant disregard for public safety that these individuals are having won’t be tolerated.”
Panama City Mayor Mark Sheldon said the crime was not brought on by the spring breakers, but by criminals who got here out under the shroud of the crowds.
