1:38 PANAMA CITY BEACH With the spring break season here, Daryl Paul says it's crucial for everyone to follow the beach flag warning system. Ive seen the police presence, and Ive seen the people scatter.. Among those arrested in 2022 were 15 people involved with a riot at a PCB Walmart officials said was instigated by social media influencers. Climbing, jumping from, or throwing things from balconies is not allowed. Some specifically travel to prey on spring breakers. We've seen in the past that there is a large criminal element in that category.". We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Law enforcement officials said the arrests send a strong message to anyone coming to Panama City Beach with ill intentions. Don't pretend we live in a world where evil does not exist because time and time again, you see that it does.". Police Chief J.R. Talamantez warned visitors that the police will take swift action against individuals who come with ill intentions. Talamantez said it is important for parents and teachers to monitor their children online and to have a talk with them about the dangers of online predators. All rights reserved. There are 15 individuals that came to Panama City Beach and had so much fun here. Panama City Beach resident Franis Vanzuelasaid she wants to see more places closedown, so the spring breakers can leave. You can have fun here without being involved in illegal activities. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. Law enforcement agencies arrested more than 160 people and confiscated dozens of guns last weekend as revelers flocked to Florida's Panama City Beach for spring break . NOTE: The VIP cards once purchased will not be mailed. Chief Smith said they all might be separate agencies, but they can unify as one quickly. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The police will also actively search for suspects with any outstanding warrants. According to PCBPD officials, rioters overturned shopping carts, raked items off store shelves, intimidated other shoppers and employees, and destroyed various areas of the store. Panama City Beach Police warn visitors ahead of Spring Break season. Dont accept anything from someone you dont know. Panama City Beach is vacation destination, especially among people in the Southern United States.. "I see it getting worse because law enforcement can't keep up with the crowd," Crockett said. "We weren't just seeing (criminals with) a 38 Special in the pocket. No metal shovels are allowed on the sandy beach, and digging holes deeper than two feet is prohibited. However, across the Hathaway Bridge in Panama City, some of those same rules dont apply. "We could have had multiple homicides and we could have ended up in national news with officer-involved shootings," he said. Riding on the exterior of vehicles, including sitting on the edge of window sills and standing up through the sun roof, is strictly prohibited. Panama City Beach woman . Regardless, residents can agree on one thing:They never want to experience this nightmare again. Let's put that in perspective. Panama City Beach has the following accommodations new and newly renovated for 2023: Comfort Inn & Suites - Now Open. All rights reserved. Please subscribe to keep reading. Mar. The consumption of alcohol in parking lots and in vehicles is not allowed. General, Fire & Police Pension Boards Meeting. 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. Law enforcement officials have detained over 160 people in Panama City Beach following a spring break weekend that saw massive crowds of people disrupting the area, officials said. Panama City Beach adopts 'spring break laws' after 'lawless' 2022 season Updated: Mar. "So actually, last year, we did have a record-breaking spring break here," Banks said. Any holes dug should be properly filled in for the safety of all. 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. 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. Several businesses shut down Saturday after dealing. "I feel like (law enforcement)haven't handled it too great because there's been like a lot of people getting shot and places getting vandalized," Vanzuela said. Carnival Cruise Line hopes its guests relax and have fun on its fleet up to a point. For the month of March, no drinking on the beach?. 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. Panama City Beach, FL. George Santos Under Scrutiny CBS News App ', "It absolutely isn't, and it breaks my heart that they had to deal with these criminals this weekend. Updated: Mar 1, 2023 / 10:05 PM CST. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. In the five-day sting from May 18 to22, police said 13 people were charged withtraveling to meet a child for sexual activity,six were charged with possessing and/or disturbing child pornography,one was charged with felony drug and weapons charges, and one was arrested on a sexual battery charge out of Alabama. ", '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. Local businesses are fully aware of the laws in place and will act accordingly. "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.". PANAMA CITY, Fla. ( WMBB) Panama City Beach is expecting a big boom in business with spring breakers and tourists soon coming to Bay County. 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. Local officials said the city was targeted by a group of lawbreakers. See recent changes in local employment, regional inflation and more in these regularly updated charts and maps. 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. 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. Parking in closed businesses lots or city rights of way after dark is prohibited. Bay County Sheriff's. 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. Loitering in parking lots or on the shoulder of the roadway is strictly prohibited. This pushed the "unsanctioned, unregulated and unpermitted special event" into Panama City, where it was held at Vibez. The company is informing customers ahead of spring break that unruly passengers could be hit with a $500 fine . Law enforcement officials in Bay County said Sunday . The News Herald. We appreciate everyones cooperation and understanding.. Local law enforcement officials announced Monday that they confiscated 75 illegal guns and arrested more than 160people throughout the weekend. 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. Talamantez said crowds were not violent but some revelers were "acting a fool," according to the report. "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," the statement reportedly said. 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. "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. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (AP) Authorities in Panama City Beach said 75 guns were seized and 161 people were arrested during a rowdy Spring Break weekend. It's not just residents who are concerned. One of them was Dianne Crockett, a Front Beach Road resident. "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. THE ULTIMATE SPRING BREAK VIP CARD FOR 30 YEARS! SPRING BREAKERS LET LOOSE AMID NATIONWIDE CRIME SPIKE, CURFEW ENACTED IN ONE POPULAR DESTINATION. Loud music which disturbs the peace is prohibited. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. 26, 2022 at 8:51 PM PDT PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Panama City Beach Police. Climbing, jumping from, or throwing things from balconies is not allowed. I feel like we are far better prepared going into this spring break than we have been in the past, Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith said. Florida's beaches and bars are already seeing the first throngs of college students on break, crowding beaches and bars - and worrying public health experts around the country who see the weeks. "And then they say it's not spring breakers,it's the 'hundred milers.' Editor's note: The location of Sunday's shooting has been updated to more accurately pinpoint where it occurred. Mar. Panama City Beach spring break crowds By WJHG Newsroom Published: Mar. Panama City Beach, Florida is considered the "Spring Break Capital Of The World" as it is the number one choice for students wanting the ultimate Spring Break experience. All local law enforcement agencies have partnered together for spring break. We've been there and done that. Q: Do people have the right to take your picture and publish it without your permission? "Well , my husband scheduled several trips to new properties Bluegreen has purchased. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital), Police break up spring break crowd at Panama City Beach. 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. 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. Yes, I have. Its a really pretty beach. "The sad thing about it was we had people who had prom reservations birthday reservations (and) anniversary reservations that we had to cancel just because of the lunacy that was going on.". According to police, the event resulted in. She was taking her 4-year-old son to his baseball game when she was ran into a huge traffic jam caused by people fleeing and police being forced to shut down roads to contain the chaos. Fox News Flash top headlines for March 27, prompting police to descend upon the area. Panama City Beach expected a large crowd this weekend. Panama City Commissioners last year considered adopting the alcohol ordinance, but after speaking and working with local businesses they decided not to adopt it. In one reported incident, an Alabama man was shot in the foot. If they see something that is not right, say something. MONTGOMERY Kenneth Glasgow, a Dothan pastor and founder of the Christian-based nonprofit The Ordinary People Society, pleaded guilty Friday . These ordinances prohibit alcohol possession or consumption on the beaches. Dogs are only allowed at the designated Dog Beach west of the City Pier. and last updated 6:56 AM, Mar 29, 2022 161 people were arrested during what some social media groups were calling "PCB Takeover" at Panama City Beach over the weekend. There is no alcohol allowed on the sandy beach during the month of March. Spring breakers pulled over by police along front beach road in Panama City beach, Florida. We decided to try to invite them back.". 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 . A slew of rules are enforced throughout the entire month of March. News provided by. PCBPD releases statement on spring break crowds, 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. 2023 www.newsherald.com. However, other residents believe that more needs to be done by government and law enforcementofficials. Longtime Panama City Beach residents and vacationers are speaking out against the violence that plagued their beloved beach town during the weekend. 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. Many of those arrested were from Alabama.Panama City Beach Police Department, In the wake of what officials termed a lawless spring break in 2022, Panama City Beach adopted a series of so-called spring break laws.. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Hawkins and Miller said they were nervous learning about all the events that were happening, scared they would get kidnapped with all the people running around at night. "I think our government and law enforcement are doing the best they can do in situations like this. All the suspects are from Alabama and range in age from 17 to 37. "That's not just because we're scared of (those words). 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The riot took place during a chaoticspring break weekend, where officers with the Beach Police Department, Panama City Police Department, Bay County Sheriff's Officeand Florida Highway Patrol confiscated 75 illegal guns and arrested more than 160people. "These people dont follow rules or laws. It then remained open on Sunday. 2023 www.newsherald.com. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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 . 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. Up to a $500 fine or imprisonment in the County Jail up to 60 days. Petty is wanted for carrying a concealed firearm; Reese is wanted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm, and resisting without violence. Police break up spring break crowd at Panama City Beach. Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez said, We are reminding locals and visitors alike. "It's not the right direction to move," Volkov said of the past weekend. "In the midst of thousands of people running through the boardwalk, we also had customers who were sitting down and enjoying their dinner," Hooker said. But this year, Panama City Beach is a target for criminals. 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.. 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. It was at that time the parking lotof the Shoppes at Edgewater was "so jammed full of these idiots," he said.