Authorities in Florida have imposed curfews in the face of so-called “spring breakers,” the throng of revelers who have arrived for spring break, and some establishments have chosen to close their doors from Miami Beach to the northwestern fringe of the state.
Bay County law enforcement officials said Sunday they will not tolerate misconduct by revelers after a 21-year-old Alabama man was shot in the foot earlier that day during a shooting in Panama City Beach.
“There are no words to describe the way the crowd that has been here this weekend has behaved and the number of laws that have been violated,” Panama City Beach Police Chief JR Talamantez said during a conference. press release on Sunday afternoon. “We are doing the best we can to manage this situation.”
Police received a report about a large, out-of-control crowd shortly before the shooting last Sunday at noon. Three people were arrested and authorities indicated they could be charged with attempted murder.
Between 50 and 60 firearms have been seized from so-called “spring breakers,” according to Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford.
Some nightclubs in the area made the decision to remain closed Sunday night, according to Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith.
In South Florida, a rowdy crowd, public drinking, and escalating violence related to the city’s world-famous South Beach neighborhood forced authorities to impose curfews beginning at midnight during the weekend. The move follows shootings that left five people injured in South Beach last week.
The 10-block area of Ocean Drive known for its art deco architecture hotels, restaurants and bars is among those catering to more affluent tourists and residents of the area. Many of the people who have lived there for a long time have learned to treat spring breakers like a hurricane: don’t go out and better shut in until it’s over.
When asked about a possible curfew in Panama City Beach, Talamantez said “nothing has been ruled out.” He added that authorities are assessing the situation.
“I know that citizens are frustrated. Believe me, it frustrates us too,” Talamantez said. “The harsh reality is that we cannot control who comes to visit us. But we can control what can happen if they commit a crime in this town.”