A well-liked Florida spring break vacation spot is completed internet hosting hordes of school college students every year, in line with the city’s prime regulation enforcement official.
“Panama City Beach can no longer be a Spring Break town,” Panama Metropolis Police Chief J.R. Talamantez stated on the division’s Fb web page Sunday. “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.”
Within the coming weeks, Talamantez stated, police may have “serious discussions” with stakeholders in metropolis management roles “about the future of the Spring Break season.”
“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,” he stated. “It’s unfair to continue placing that weight on the backs of the men and women who serve and protect this city every day.”
Within the submit, Talamantez thanked those that visited the city and didn’t trigger bother.
“To the future doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and leaders who came here for a break, you’re appreciated,” he stated. “You made memories, enjoyed the beach, and showed respect. Most of you went home without problems, and that’s exactly how it should be.”
He had stern phrases for troublemakers, although.
“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,” he stated. “You had been unsuitable. Our officers had been prepared, and lots of of you ended up in handcuffs.
“Some of you fired shots over petty arguments and social media drama. And when the cuffs went on, the tough act disappeared. Our officers didn’t see hardened criminals. They saw scared kids crying in the interview room. TikTok doesn’t show that part, but our body cameras do.”
Town has lengthy been a scorching spot for school college students trying to catch some solar in March and April, but in addition for the difficulty that comes together with 1000’s of tourists.
For a number of years, the police division has used varied methods to discourage spring break crime.
In 2023, police deployed Ok-9s to fight drug use and leaned on surveillance cameras in an try to maintain revelers below management.
In 2022, police arrested greater than 160 individuals throughout a spring break incident when a whole bunch trashed a Walmart. They seized 75 weapons from that case alone.
“The crowd that has been here this weekend, there is no words that can describe the way they have behaved themselves, conducted themselves, and the amount of laws they have broken,” Talamantez stated on the time.
That very same 12 months, spring breakers had been so raucous police closed two miles of metropolis streets.
Fox Information Digital reached out to the Panama Metropolis Seashore Police Division.
