"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. This is a resort town. Spring Break. According to police, the event resulted in. 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 . "That's the part that's disheartening," Sheldon said of tourists who now might not want to come back. 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. Climbing, jumping from, or throwing things from balconies is not allowed. All rights reserved. "This act that he wants to bring to town has actually been investigated for a racketeering case involving homicide and money laundering, drug trafficking, a bunch of other things.". PANAMA CITY, Fla. - With Miami Beach enforcing a strict curfew to curb a spike in spring break violence in one of the final weeks of the season, Panama City and other Florida beach. In response to the many circulating social media posts that. "I think our government and law enforcement are doing the best they can do in situations like this. "That's not just because we're scared of (those words). All the suspects are from Alabama and range in age from 17 to 37. We decided to try to invite them back.". We were seeing (them) with rifles in backpacks.". It's not just residents who are concerned. News provided by. Among the spring break laws now in effect include a prohibition on the sale of alcohol from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. Law enforcement officials in Bay County said Sunday . All rights reserved. The small business specializes in golf cart rentals. Panama City Beach spring break crowds By WJHG Newsroom Published: Mar. All rights reserved. "We could have had multiple homicides and we could have ended up in national news with officer-involved shootings," he said. 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.. 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. 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. An image from a press conference livestream shows some of the 75 weapons confiscated during one spring break weekend in Panama City Beach. Bluegreen's Bayside Resort and Spa. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The consumption of alcohol in parking lots and in vehicles is not allowed. 08. "We're like 20 minutes away from the ball field and it took us an hour to get there," Crockett said. 29, 2022 at 2:49 PM PDT COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - As Spring Break kicks into high gear with Muscogee County students out next week, could changes happen in Panama City. You can have fun here without being involved in illegal activities. 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. MORE NEWS . Music heard more than 25 feet away is illegal. 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. Copyright 2023 WJHG. 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. 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. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Panama City Beach is a popular destination spot for tourists and spring breakers. 1:38. 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. 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. 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. "I never expected this. No metal shovels are allowed on the sandy beach, and digging holes deeper than two feet is prohibited. Updated: Mar 1, 2023 / 07:43 PM CST. "We saw this specific group attempting to come down to Panama City Beach, and we identified that they were looking for locations (to gather) all over the Beach.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "We went ahead and fed the people who were already in the restaurant, and then we started calling everybody who had later reservations and told them we (needed) to close for safety concerns,"Trepanier said. Violence and fighting is strictly prohibited. Arrest and at least one night in the County Jail. "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.". . 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. 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 . I'd look at these condos that are right across the street from me, and I'd think 'There's families in there who have never been here before. Riding on the exterior of vehicles, including sitting on the edge of window sills and standing up through the sun roof, is strictly prohibited. 0:04. And multiple businesses, including a Walmart store on Front Beach Road, shuttered early on Saturday, MyPanhandle.com reported. Panama City officials prepared for spring breakers, 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. 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.. Yet, Campbell said it was a lot more intense than he realized. Spring breakers play beach games at Panama City Beach. "This is a perfect place away from the spring break crowd!". PANAMA CITY BEACH The Panama City Police Department warned potential Spring Break visitors Wednesday that officers will enforce the city's law with zero tolerance during the. Vibez . Drinking alcohol on the sandy beaches and behind the wheel is also not permitted. Music heard more than 25 feet away is illegal. 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. A criminal record that will follow you beyond Spring Break. Panama City Beach is a resort town in Northwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico coast. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. Caught in the crossfire of chaos were residents and vacationing families. It was nothing to do with Spring Break. They face a variety of charges, including inciting a riot, felony criminal mischief, disorderly conductand theft during a riot-related disturbance. Be responsible and act within the boundaries of the law. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "We saw a 15.6% increase in March of . 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 provide a safe and enjoyable environment for our residents and visitors, said Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R Talamantez. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). We don't need this.". Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Planning Board Meeting- Cancelled. Im just here for the sun and fun.. 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. General, Fire & Police Pension Boards Meeting. Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said that 161 people were arrested and jailed over the weekend and that officers seized 75 guns. For emergencies, dial 911. 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. With 27 miles of sugar white beaches, this destination gem boasts some of the very best in nightlife, events, and hotel accommodations that will fit within any budget. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. We "were driving down the road and there were these people getting pulled over and they were unloading an AR and everything," Hawkins said. Panama City Beach Police Department officials released the following statement to NewsChannel 7. 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.. Answer Man: Is it illegal to take pictures of people without their permission? Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. ', "It absolutely isn't, and it breaks my heart that they had to deal with these criminals this weekend. As beach safety director for Panama. Local law enforcement officials announced Monday that they confiscated 75 illegal guns and arrested more than 160people throughout the weekend. Loud music which disturbs the peace is prohibited. Officials say Spring Break in Panama City Beach is the best it's ever been WMBB News 13 16K views 5 months ago Alabama man shot in Panama City Beach WVTM 13 News 143K views 4. But this year, Panama City Beach is a target for criminals. By Katie Bente. Talamantez said crowds were not violent but some revelers were "acting a fool," according to the report. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Everybody is positive.. Several businesses shut down Saturday after dealing. However, other residents believe that more needs to be done by government and law enforcementofficials. Funded by Bay Point Advisors, LLC, this brand-new Comfort . The nightly cutoff is normally 4 a.m. 1. '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. Let's put that in perspective. Beach police have been patrolling the area and say the. PANAMA CITY BEACH Sariah Hooker has lived in Panama City Beach for 12 years. Southern Comfort Mar 02, 2023, 08:30 ET . The event, which leaders say was dubbed by organizersas"Panamaniac," resulted in more than 160 arrests, the confiscation of 75 illegal guns, one shooting with non-life-threatening injuries and numerous closures of roads and businesses. Show prices. 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. 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. {{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. 11:30 AM - 01:30 PM. Were going to go and get it if theyre breaking any of the rules, Tonjua Evans, operations manager of Hangout By The Sea, said. This is not our community.' It may be hard to believe for some . Panama City Beach's police chief admonished the crowds gathered for spring break after a 21-year-old from Alabama was shot in the foot on Sunday. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. This zero-tolerance policy includes a ban on underage drinking, traffic disruption, loud music, and pop-up parties in businesses or empty lots. 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 company is informing customers ahead of spring break that unruly passengers could be hit with a $500 fine . Police may also temporarily close the beaches if things get out of hand. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Beach police were joined by multiple agencies for the two operations. 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. "That's what this (was). An image from a press conference livestream shows some of the 75 weapons confiscated during one spring break weekend in Panama City Beach. Panama City Beach resident Franis Vanzuelasaid she wants to see more places closedown, so the spring breakers can leave. Panama City Beach is limiting the number of people who may gather together on the sand during spring break. Climbing, jumping from, or throwing things from balconies is not allowed. Regardless, residents can agree on one thing:They never want to experience this nightmare again. Panama City Beach is anticipating an uptick in visitors during Spring Break next month. 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. Local businesses are fully aware of the laws in place and will act accordingly. 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. 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! In Panama City Beach, there are several spring break laws in place that started on March 1 and end on March 31. 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. In Panama City Beach, Christopher Lawrence Cox, 37, of Louisville, Kentucky, was charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder in the shooting death early Tuesday of a 14-year . "And then afterwards, it took us over an hour to get home because all the roads were closed down. 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 . 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. "They're coming from the regional area. Talamantez and other PCB officials are determined to avoid a repeat of last years spring break, when more than 160 people were arrested and some 75 weapons were confiscated. It resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to anunnamed 21-year-old from Alabama. "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. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Rowdy spring break crowds have forced curfews and led some establishments to close their doors from Miami Beach to Florida 's Panhandle. Ive seen the police break them up a few times, Bruyn said.