2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 1. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital). "I see it getting worse because law enforcement can't keep up with the crowd," Crockett said. Here's the scoop. City officials said in a statement on Saturday that they had "expected a large crowd" during the weekend and had formulated a plan, according to several local reports. Ford, along with Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez, said because they cannot prevent who visits the area, it will be up to local businesses to help law enforcement curbany future outbreaks similar to the chaos of this past weekend. "I think our government and law enforcement are doing the best they can do in situations like this. In the adjoiningrestaurant, she said workers were having an even harder time. The company is informing customers ahead of spring break that unruly passengers could be hit with a $500 fine . News provided by. Operation Rogue Wave resulted in the arrest of 21men on various charges, with three other suspects still being sought on charges of transmitting harmful material to a child and solicitation of a child for sexual activity. Some residents said they applaudlaw enforcement and government officials who have worked to get thelaw breakersoff the street. Panama City Beach in Florida makes for the most exciting spring break for being a unique party hub where people are promised to have the time of their life. As long as they follow through with that, I do not anticipate us passing any more laws.. However, across the Hathaway Bridge in Panama City, some of those same rules dont apply. Use the buddy system and never leave your friends. Loitering in parking lots or on the shoulder of the roadway is strictly prohibited. For emergencies, dial 911. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Geneva County coach Holmes juggling new son and leading Lady Dawgs to state tournament, Dothan native, former Auburn star Blake Burkhalter of Atlanta Braves to have Tommy John surgery, Dothan physician, daughter killed in single-vehicle crash near Barbour County line, Dothan Wolves fall to Hoover in Class 7A basketball semifinals, Elba girls battle with grit, but fall short against Marion County in 1A state semifinals, 14 charts that show how the economy is performing in Alabama, George Scott named head coach for Enterprise State Lady Weevils basketball, PREP BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Draper strikes out 16 to spark Carroll win, SATURDAY PREP BASEBALL: Dothan rallies past Houston Academy, PREP BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Steed's double helps Ariton defeat Opp, Dothan Wolves not worried about underdog label going against Hoover, PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: McCarthys run-scoring hit gives Dothan victory, Houston County real estate transfers Feb. 21-Feb. 23, 2023. "When your customers can't get to you because the roads are blocked off because there's a crime scene, there's not a whole heck of a lot you can do.". Going by the stage name Diesel, he is scheduled to perform live during Spring Break in Panama City Beach on March 16 at Harpoon Harry's. At 7'1 and 325 pounds, Shaq's larger-than-life personality and powerful PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - It's known as the spring break capital of the world. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. As spring break season continues, many fear what is to come and if law enforcement is prepared. In response to the many circulating social media posts that. Panama City Beach is a resort town in Northwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico coast. "So actually, last year, we did have a record-breaking spring break here," Banks said. Mar. Beach officials warn visitors of dangers ahead of Spring Break. "We saw a 15.6% increase in March of . "One of the preparations that we did is we spoke to a business owner and local community about the certain act that he wants to bring to town," Talamantez said. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Editor's note: The location of Sunday's shooting has been updated to more accurately pinpoint where it occurred. Legal Statement. We dont rent to anyone whos under 21, clearly, Evans said. 22, 2022 at 8:59 PM PDT. But, like most Panama City Beach residents,she's never experienced anything as chaotic as this pastweekend. But this year, Panama City Beach is a target for criminals. "I've been here when Spring Break was a bunch of good college kids (who) got a little crazy, but there weren't any guns and there wasn't any violence, and then we had those several bad years (where there was) that real bad element of people coming here who weren't spring breakers, but people looking to prey on spring breakers," he said. It was a chaotic scene this weekend in Panama City as spring break crowds recklessly stormed the beaches and bars. ", 160 arrests, 75 guns seized during PCB spring break, Residents, vacationing families caught in crossfire of PCB chaos, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. However, other residents believe that more needs to be done by government and law enforcementofficials. The cruise line's updated contract follows a spate of unruly guest behavior across the tourism industry. All rights reserved. We've been there and done that. In one reported incident, an Alabama man was shot in the foot. 2023 www.newsherald.com. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. These are criminals who came to our town to be lawless and create havoc, Sheldon said at the time, adding that we saw a lot of folks from Montgomery and Birmingham who came down to just create trouble.. See recent changes in local employment, regional inflation and more in these regularly updated charts and maps. "In general, it's a lot of fun here," Canadian Visitor Tony. PANAMA CITY BEACH Fla. (WMBB) Spring breakers are in Panama City Beach and even with a pandemic, this year is no different. . Panama City Beach is vacation destination, especially among people in the Southern United States.. Beach police were joined by multiple agencies for the two operations. Spring breakers pulled over by police along front beach road in Panama City beach, Florida. Panama City man charged with DUI after hitting SRO with car, Judge sets bond for 76-year-old woman accused of killing terminally ill husband, Man facing more charges after arrest on active warrants in Jackson County, Chipley falls in title game, South Walton beats Walton on the baseball diamond, Arnold falls on softball diamond. College students gather in Panama City Beach, FL during spring break in March 2020. And we're gonna come kick your door in," Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said. Kyle Volkov, owner of Axe Throwing PCB, which also is in the Shoppes at Edgewater plaza, said he decided to close his businesson Saturday night as well. This zero-tolerance policy includes a ban on underage drinking, traffic disruption, loud music, and pop-up parties in businesses or empty lots. Yes, I have. Hooker said she had to lock her gift shop'sdoors to keep everyone out. Chief Talamantez wants visitors to have a good time but also abide by the following restrictions: Climbing, jumping off, or throwing anything from balconies is illegal. 'What justice looks like': 160 people arrested, 75 guns seized during chaotic PCB spring break weekend, 'A glimpse into the bad past': Panama City Beach businesses shut doors amid spring break chaos. Stephanie Pagones is a Digital Reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. A Dothan man has been arrested and charged with one count of rape. 5:14 MIRAMAR BEACH Gunfire erupted in Panama City Beach over the weekend, injuring one and causing concern among Panhandle residents as large crowds of spring breakers continue to flock. NewsBreak provides latest and breaking Panama City Beach, FL local news, weather forecast, crime and safety reports, traffic updates, event notices, sports, entertainment, local life and other items of interest in the community and nearby towns. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Panama City Beach is a popular destination spot for tourists and spring breakers. Vibez . PANAMA CITY BEACH An influx of crime this weekend during spring break in Panama City Beach led to more than 160 arrests in Bay County. PANAMA CITY BEACH Law enforcement officials saymore than three dozen suspects have been taken off the streets in connection witha spring break riot at a BeachWalmart and a child-sex sting earlier this week. At a press conference on Monday, law. We appreciate everyones cooperation and understanding.. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Local officials said the city was targeted by a group of lawbreakers. Bluegreen's Bayside Resort and Spa. Police break up spring break crowd at Panama City Beach. Other City ordinances which will be strictly enforced, according to the City, include: Talamantez said Panama City Beach police are patrolling all beach areas, assisted by PCB Code Enforcement and Beach Safety personnel. For example, the sale of alcohol is allowed past 2 a.m. in Panama City, whereas in PCB it is not. Any holes dug should be properly filled in for the safety of all. "It's not the right direction to move," Volkov said of the past weekend. Enter dates to see prices. Legal Statement. As beach safety director for Panama. Market data provided by Factset. "This is a perfect place away from the spring break crowd!". Talamantez added that law enforcement officialswanted to get ahead of any issues beforethe Memorial Day weekend, saying they already have detected a potential issuefrom a local business owner. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Talamantez said crowds were not violent but some revelers were "acting a fool," according to the report. One of them was Dianne Crockett, a Front Beach Road resident. Best Spring Break Trip Locations for 2023. LikeTrepanier,Volkov said the weekend wasa reminder on why PCB officials have worked tirelessly during the past decade to rebrand the area into a family-friendly destination, and not a hotspot for lawless and rowdy tourists. In Panama City Beach, there are several spring break laws in place that started on March 1 and end on March 31. Here is how it works: Buy the Maniac VIP card based on your travel destination and receive over $500 in savings with: FREE CLUB COVER CHARGES, FREE & DISCOUNTED DRINKS, FREE CONCERTS, DISCOUNTS ON RESTAURANTS & LOCAL ATTRACTIONS! Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Panama City Beach, Fla. (WMBB) With Spring Break getting into gear, traveling families and tourists are searching for the best place where they can get the most out of the World's Most . Officers from the Panama City Beach Police Department closed a two-mile stretch of Front Beach Road as of about 9 p.m. Saturday, as spring break crowds flooded the area, Chief J.R.. I have been meeting with the business owners of those late-night establishments and have been establishing some agreements with them that if it gets too bad that they are willing to close early, Chief Smith said. A spring break party in the Florida Panhandle turned violent early Saturday after seven people, including at least three college students, were shot at a Panama City Beach house, officials said . "I never expected this. We've seen when somebody calls something a takeover what can happen. "That's what this (was). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 2023 www.newsherald.com. "And then afterwards, it took us over an hour to get home because all the roads were closed down. Among those arrested in 2022 were 15 people involved with a riot at a PCB Walmart officials said was instigated by social media influencers. The shooting suspect, 22-year-old David Jamichael Daniels, of Mobile, Alabama, was charged with seven counts of attempted . 02, 2023, 11:31 a.m. An image from a press conference. The small business specializes in golf cart rentals. While the pastweekend's trouble makers were not traditional spring breakers, Ford noted that they were similar to what officials have referred to as the "hundred-milers." General, Fire & Police Pension Boards Meeting. Officers from the Panama City Beach Police Department closed a two-mile stretch of Front Beach Road as of about 9 p.m. Saturday, as spring break crowds flooded the area, Chief J.R. Talamantez confirmed to MyPanhandle.com. FLORIDA SPRING BREAKERS CARRY ON IN PANAMA CITY, FAR AWAY FROM TROUBLES IN MIAMI BEACH. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) Panama City Beach leaders reminded the public Wednesday that the "Spring Break" laws have begun and will be "strictly enforced." "Our goal is to. We encourage all residents and visitors to speak up. NOTE: The VIP cards once purchased will not be mailed. Yet, Campbell said it was a lot more intense than he realized. Music heard more than 25 feet away is illegal. We have approximately 100 officers from our agency, the Bay County Sheriffs Office, Lynn Haven Police Department, Panama City Police Department, and Florida Highway Patrol along with other surrounding agencies, to provide service to our residents, visitors, and businesses. Let's put that in perspective. Loud music which disturbs the peace is prohibited. Among the spring break laws now in effect include a prohibition on the sale of alcohol from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. ( WMBB) Massive crowds forced road closures and led many local businesses to close early on Panama City Beach over the weekend. Over 1 Million College Students Can't Be Wrong! Alcohol sales will also stop at 2 a.m. during the entire month of March. Panama City Beach prepares for spring break crowd The battle over Spring Break had been building for years as then-Sheriff Frank McKeithen, some local residents and others tried to. If they are still wanting to continue their party atmosphere, they come over to the Panama City side to the adult establishments which are open for the extra two hours, Chief Smith said. Copyright 2023 WJHG. This is what they think our beach is. Panama City Beach woman . "We could have had multiple homicides and we could have ended up in national news with officer-involved shootings," he said. Local businesses are fully aware of the laws in place and will act accordingly. Before 2015, when the Panama City Beach City Council passed a series of ordinances designed to limit Spring Break madness, the city was known as the "Spring Break capital of the United States" and attracted tens of thousands of party-hungry tourists every year. "You can rest assured that if you're chatting with an underage person inBay County for the purposes of having sex, you're probably chatting with one of us and if you download child pornography, we're going to know about it. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. That is what the businesses are committed to doing this year. Spring breakers play beach games at Panama City Beach. Fox News Flash top headlines for March 27, prompting police to descend upon the area. Crowds remained on the sidewalks, while vehicular traffic was also heavy, he reportedly said. If you see something, say something, if you see something that might indicate that somebody has those types of tendenciesand those interests that involve some type of sexual interest in children, we need to know about it. What happened was unforeseen and is hard to control. "I would (come back here for vacation), but probably not like down to this area," Miller said. There was an agreement that hey we are responsible for enforcing what we need to enforce on our property and with ever activities happen on our property, Panama City Commissioner Josh Street said. Were going to go and get it if theyre breaking any of the rules, Tonjua Evans, operations manager of Hangout By The Sea, said. PANAMA CITY BEACH The Panama City Police Department warned potential Spring Break visitors Wednesday that officers will enforce the citys law with zero tolerance during the upcoming season. At Panama City Beach, no alcohol is allowed on beaches, bars will close at 2 a.m., rather than 4 a.m., and special events will have no more than 125 people. These ordinances prohibit alcohol possession or consumption on the beaches. We encourage our residents to call our police dispatch if they need anything and to remember we are here as a city to protect everyone.. Panama City Beach, FL. Ive seen the police break them up a few times, Bruyn said. We decided to try to invite them back.". But it's not . Glasgow pleads guilty to federal tax evasion, mail fraud, and drug charges, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities. "When we start seeing events named 'takeovers' and 'maniacs' and things like that, (they) cause us concern," Ford said. While half of those arrested during spring break 2022 were Alabama residents, Panama City Beach Mayor Mark Sheldon suggested much of the lawbreaking came from people other than visiting college students. PANAMA CITY BEACH Local law enforcement officials say while they knew weeks in advance that a potentially dangerous event was planned for this past weekend in Panama City Beach, they cannot control who visits the area. Unfortunately, you cant ban people from coming here and you never know the type of people who choose to vacation here," Hooker said. "I remember, well, I was mainly at home, but I passed one time while I was heading to the grocery store and it was very chaotic and truly something I've never seen before,"Campbell said. Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most dominant basketball players in NBA history and is now also a larger-than-life entertainer! PANAMA CITY BEACH An influx of crime this weekend during spring break in Panama City Beach led to more than 160 arrests in Bay County. Spring Break. Spring breakers pulled over by police along front beach road in Panama City beach, Florida. Any holes dug should be properly filled in for the safety of all. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . We appreciate everyones cooperation and understanding.. Bay County Sheriff's. As well as they are going to work diligently with the police department and the fire department to maintain their numbers within the inside and handle their own internal security.. There is no alcohol allowed on the sandy beach during the month of March. Law enforcement officials in Bay County . PANAMA CITY, Fla. ( WMBB) Panama City does not change any of its laws for Spring Break, but that doesn't mean local authorities aren't preparing. On Sunday afternoon, a 21-year-old from Alabama was shot in the foot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. In Panama City Beach, there are several spring break laws in place that started on March 1 and end on March 31. Talamantez and Beach Mayor Mark Sheldon also said that one of the things they are most frustrated about is that this weekend might have scared off first-time visitors who do not know how hard officials have worked during the past decade to rebrand the area into a family-friendly destination. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Two shootings and massive crowds of spring breakers have pushed the city of Miami Beach to declare a state of emergency. or redistributed. 1:38. Trepanier said he, his staff and their customers at hisupscale Fireflyin the Shoppes at Edgewater plaza spent practically the entire weekend grappling with unrulycrowds set on creating chaos in Panama City Beach. This is not our community.' PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Two shootings and massive crowds of spring . They also said that while residents might feel wronged by Marchregulations put in place because of the sins of past spring breakers, officials cannot pass specific rules for only one group of people. It's not just residents who are concerned. Longtime Panama City Beach residents and vacationers are speaking out against the violence that plagued their beloved beach town during the weekend. SPRING BREAKERS LET LOOSE AMID NATIONWIDE CRIME SPIKE, CURFEW ENACTED IN ONE POPULAR DESTINATION. Alcohol sales are not permitted after 2 a.m. and until 7 a.m. Loitering in parking lots or on the shoulder of the roadway is strictly prohibited. Spring Break 2021 in Panama City Beach As she stood with her friends on the beach on March 25 near the Russell-Fields Pier, with double-red flags flying overhead and a gusty sea breeze. Trepanier noted that at about 7 p.m. Saturday, local law enforcement officials asked him to consider closing early so they could close portions of surrounding roads and redirect traffic out of the area. The consumption or possession of alcohol is not allowed on the sandy beach during the month of March. Hatteras Beach, North Carolina, which has . Our local law enforcement did the best they could, giving the hand they were dealt and I, for one, commend them for doing so.". PANAMA CITY BEACH Restaurant owner DaveTrepanier, who has lived in Bay County for the past 15 years, described this weekend as "a glimpse into the bad past" of Panama City Beach, which once was known for the tens of thousands of party-crazed touristsit attracted every year during Spring Break. With the help ofinformation gathered online, they were able to locate ongoing crimes through the Bay Real Time Operations Center, a new division that accesses and utilizes live feeds from traffic lights and security cameras throughout the county. Market data provided by Factset. We have to keep a little bit of a closer eye on that during spring break because those kids are on a budget.. It's the only pandemic-related restriction in place at the start of the busy month for tourism. All rights reserved (About Us). Alabama vacationers Kenzie Hawkins and Bre Millerhad to transfer to another motel afterviolence near the first motel. We have partnered with our local businesses to close their parking lots when their businesses are closed or to close their doors early if needed. From last years season, Robert Santrell Petty, 18, of Ozark, and Danyell Demetrice Reese, 26, of Headland, have outstanding arrest warrants in the coastal city. Planning Board Meeting- Cancelled. New ordinance aligns city, county, PCB in emergency situations in wake of spring break chaos, 161 people arrested in Panamaniac spring break weekend: Heres a breakdown of the charges, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. While the area has a total population of only 15,000, it attracts more than 4.5 million visitors every year, who come to enjoy the hot summer sun and witness the various unique attractions . No metal shovels are allowed on the sandy beach, and digging holes deeper than two feet is prohibited. ", 'What justice looks like in Bay County':160 arrests, 75 guns seized during PCB spring break, Chaos inPCB:One injured in Front Beach Roadshooting, over 50 guns seized. Published March 1, 2021 at 8:52 AM EST. More than 100 people congregated in the Walmart parking lot during the riot and wereshown on video taking over the store. PANAMA CITY BEACH A portion of the beach will once again be closed overnight this spring. TheBeach experienced an onslaughtof what are being dubbed "true criminals" onFriday evening,complete with a shooting, crowdsand even a stampede at the Walmart at the intersection of Front Beach and Middle Beach roads. "We prevented this specific group, these specific influencers from hosting these events in Panama City Beach,"Talamantez said. You can have fun here without being involved in illegal activities. She's seen some calm spring breaks and some crazy ones. This pushed the "unsanctioned, unregulated and unpermitted special event" into Panama City, where it was held at Vibez. PANAMA CITY BEACH Restaurant owner Dave Trepanier, who has lived in Bay County for the past 15 years, described this weekend as "a glimpse into the bad past" of Panama City Beach,. All local law enforcement agencies have partnered together for spring break. But, like most Panama City Beach. Florida law enforcement officials say they arrested 78 people from Alabama in Panama City Beach, Fla., over the weekend and confiscated 75 guns as spring break revelry devolved into chaos. Panama City Beach, Florida, has long been deemed a mecca for spring breakers due to its dazzling 27 miles of soft, sugar-sand beaches, bountiful waterfront bars, and premier theme parties. Southern Comfort Mar 02, 2023, 08:30 ET . Everybody has to have a valid drivers license.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. To offer Spring Break events like never before, Southern Comfort will be living it up at Harpoon Harry's in Panama City Beach, . Between Saturday and Sunday, 75 illegal guns were confiscated and more than 160 people were arrested in Bay County about half of whom were from Alabama.