Florida is the spring break capital of the country.
Wild party animals descend on the state every year.
And college students got one wake-up call from a Florida beach town they never saw coming.
Panama City Beach warns spring breakers that the party is over
Panama City Beach, Florida, has been one of the biggest spring break hotspots in the country for decades.
Going to the beach town became a rite of passage for college and high school students looking to get rowdy.
The attitude toward the throngs of spring breakers that flock there every year is changing.
Panama City Police Chief J.R. Talamantez announced that he was done trying to manage out-of-control spring breakers.
He said that he would work with city officials to put an end to spring break.
“Panama City Beach can no longer be a Spring Break town,” Talamantez declared. “That time is over. Every year we try to manage it, and every year it brings more challenges. I’m not willing to risk the safety of our city to hold onto something that no longer works.”
Dealing with the chaos brought by tourists was unfair to law enforcement, according to Talamantez.
“And let me be clear, our law enforcement officers should not be expected to shoulder the burden of an event that no longer aligns with the values or vision of this community,” Talamantez said. “It’s unfair to continue placing that weight on the backs of the men and women who serve and protect this city every day.”
Attitudes toward spring break are changing
Talamantez noted that most tourists to the city were respectful, but a handful of bad apples were ruining it for everyone.
“If you came with guns, bad intentions, and no respect for this city, we saw you. You thought you could blend in and get away with it,” Talamantez explained. “You were wrong. Our officers were ready, and many of you ended up in handcuffs.”
Panama City Beach has had to increase its police presence during spring break to keep students in line.
More than 160 people were arrested during spring break in 2021, including more than 50 gun charges.
Police have closed down streets, used surveillance cameras, and dogs to keep the party under control.
Three shootings took place in Panama City Beach during spring break this year.
“I’m confident they share this same concern. No plan will fix this overnight, but we have to start somewhere. And we have to start now,” Talamentez stated. “To the good visitors, you’ll always be welcome. To the idiots, go somewhere else.”
The attitude toward Spring Breakers has changed in Florida in recent years.
More cities are telling them to go elsewhere after the crime and chaos they brought.
Miami Beach warned spring breakers not to show up and instituted rules designed to keep them away.
Restrictions were placed on beach access, curfews were instituted, and parking prices were jacked up.
Other cities like Daytona Beach have increased police presence and cracked down on partying.
The days of wild and crazy spring break parties in Florida could be coming to an end.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
