Since businesses in Panama City can stay open later in March, Chief Smith said he planned ahead before Spring Break season arrived. One of them was Dianne Crockett, a Front Beach Road resident. Panama City Beach spring break crime: Social media alerted - Yahoo! All the suspects are from Alabama and range in age from 17 to 37. '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. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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 . Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez said, We are reminding locals and visitors alike. Panama City Beach Police holds Spring Break news conference - MyPanhandle "They're coming from the regional area. "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. Panama City Beach resident Franis Vanzuelasaid she wants to see more places closedown, so the spring breakers can leave. 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. 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. For new residents, like Orlando-native Khalil Campbell, spring break was something they knew they would experience when moving to the area. Let's put that in perspective. ", Sunday's shooting: Man shot in the foot, over 50 guns seized amid spring break in Panama City Beach, Scenes from the chaos:Shooting in heart of spring break area prompts heavy police response, Flash mobs, riots and 21 illegal guns: BCSO, PCB PD deploy 'every available resource' Saturday. Spring breakers let loose amid nationwide crime spike - Fox News SPRING BREAKERS LET LOOSE AMID NATIONWIDE CRIME SPIKE, CURFEW ENACTED IN ONE POPULAR DESTINATION. Entrepreneur - Amanda Breen 1d. FLORIDA SPRING BREAKERS CARRY ON IN PANAMA CITY, FAR AWAY FROM TROUBLES IN MIAMI BEACH. 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. This is not our community.' Best Spring Break Trip Locations for 2023. 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. Copyright 2022 WJHG. Climbing, jumping from, or throwing things from balconies is not allowed. We "were driving down the road and there were these people getting pulled over and they were unloading an AR and everything," Hawkins said. Drinking alcohol on the sandy beaches and behind the wheel is also not permitted. "Maybe like farther up. "I would (come back here for vacation), but probably not like down to this area," Miller said. Among the spring break laws now in effect include a prohibition on the sale of alcohol from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. "I never expected this. Legal Statement. Mar. 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). "These individuals jumped at the opportunity to try to have sex with a kid; 24 in this small beach town were taken into custody," Talamantez said. 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. Mar. ", Law enforcement responds to latest spring break violence in PCB, Law enforcement responds to shooting and latest spring break problems in Panama City Beach, 160 people arrested, 75 guns seized during chaotic PCB spring break weekend, Panama City Beach businesses shut doors amid spring break chaos, Man shot in the foot, over 50 guns seized amid spring break in Panama City Beach, Shooting in heart of spring break area prompts heavy police response, BCSO, PCB PD deploy 'every available resource' Saturday, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. WATCH: Crowds go crazy in Panama City Beach - YouTube 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. It's the only pandemic-related restriction in place at the start of the busy month for tourism. All rights reserved. A criminal record that will follow you beyond Spring Break. This zero-tolerance policy includes a ban on underage drinking, traffic disruption, loud music, and pop-up parties in businesses or empty lots. Alabama vacationers Kenzie Hawkins and Bre Millerhad to transfer to another motel afterviolence near the first motel. We were seeing (them) with rifles in backpacks.". "We want people to come to our community and enjoy our beaches and the many opportunities that we offer for recreation, but we do not want people to come here and think that they're going to terrorize our community like they may terrorize their communities back home," State Attorney Larry Basford said. Period," Talamantez said. "I think our government and law enforcement are doing the best they can do in situations like this. Seven People Shot at Panama City Beach Spring Break Party - NBC News Spring break and COVID-19: Experts worry about crowded beaches - USA TODAY For us, its a good thing because it scares the bazebras out of people like me, Bruyn said. There is no alcohol allowed on the sandy beach during the month of March. 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 . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. YEAR END: Panama City Beach Spring Break boomed again, but was it wild Panama City Beach spring break crime: Social media alerted police to pending madness Nathan Cobb The News Herald 0:04 1:33 PANAMA CITY BEACH Local law enforcement officials say. 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. However, other residents believe that more needs to be done by government and law enforcementofficials. "We're like 20 minutes away from the ball field and it took us an hour to get there," Crockett said. 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. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Any holes dug should be properly filled in for the safety of all. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. It was a chaotic scene this weekend in Panama City as spring break crowds recklessly stormed the beaches and bars. 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. Double red flags signify a ban on entry into the Gulf. Among those arrested in 2022 were 15 people involved with a riot at a PCB Walmart officials said was instigated by social media influencers. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). MORE NEWS . All rights reserved. 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. A shooting occurred during spring break in Panama City, March 28, 2015. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Although Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said he could notgo into detail on exactly how he and other law enforcementofficialsknew about the event, he said they learned about it through social media. "What . 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 Spring break in Panama City Beach: PCB much tamer, but police still battling Spring Break beach booze. 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 businesses expect big boom from Spring Break crowds 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. The cruise line's updated contract follows a spate of unruly guest behavior across the tourism industry. Panama City Spring Break: Is It Worth It? - TheTravel Funded by Bay Point Advisors, LLC, this brand-new Comfort . "And then afterwards, it took us over an hour to get home because all the roads were closed down. Panama City Beach News, Weather, Safety, Sports - NewsBreak Police Chief J.R. Talamantez warned visitors that the police will take swift action against individuals who come with ill intentions. 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. Local officials said the city was targeted by a group of . PCB Spring Break: from chaotic to family-friendly. Be responsible and act within the boundaries of the law. "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. Is that right? Bruyn said. Panama City Beach Police warn visitors ahead of Spring Break season All rights reserved. You can have fun here without being involved in illegal activities. 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. Law enforcement officials in Bay County . Panama City Beach police say spring breakers are behaving so far 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. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Two shootings and massive crowds of spring . Panama City Beach Limits Spring Break Gatherings On Sand Loud music which disturbs the peace 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. All rights reserved. We've seen when somebody calls something a takeover what can happen. Spring Break. Beach police were joined by multiple agencies for the two operations. 08. Spring Break ordinances are in effect. Get the Ultimate Spring Break Vip Card - Maniacvipcard.com But, like most Panama City Beach residents,she's never experienced anything as chaotic as this pastweekend. Florida deputies arrest over 160 in Panama City Beach during 'dangerous 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,. Published: Mar. Panama City Beach 17007 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-5100 ADA/EEO/Fair Housing Coordinator . Panama City Beach to announce changes for spring breaker in - WTVM That is what the businesses are committed to doing this year. Panama City Beach woman . Panama City Beach Police Department officials released the following statement to NewsChannel 7. Marshals Service. Three. Panama City Beach Police Department officials held a press conference Wednesday morning to unveil the arrests from Operation Rollback and Operation Rogue Wave. Music heard more than 25 feet away is illegal. Where to stay and what to explore during Spring Break in Panama City Beach I expect a lot of partying and a lot of people having fun and things like that, but didn't expect the level of like vandalism and violence involved.". THE ULTIMATE SPRING BREAK VIP CARD FOR 30 YEARS! "That's the part that's disheartening," Sheldon said of tourists who now might not want to come back. Panama City Beach residents outraged over spring break crime, violence #1 Best Value of 12 Spring Break Resorts in Panama City Beach. 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. PANAMA CITY BEACH A portion of the beach will once again be closed overnight this spring. Yes, I have. Panama City Beach sets spring break rules amid COVID-19 pandemic - WTVM Spring break chaos: Panama City Beach businesses close due to crime PANAMA CITY BEACH Fla. (WMBB) Spring breakers are in Panama City Beach and even with a pandemic, this year is no different. "I see it getting worse because law enforcement can't keep up with the crowd," Crockett said. Florida's Panama City Beach spring break revelers prompt - Fox News Local officials said the city was targeted by a group of lawbreakers. "Well , my husband scheduled several trips to new properties Bluegreen has purchased. MONTGOMERY Kenneth Glasgow, a Dothan pastor and founder of the Christian-based nonprofit The Ordinary People Society, pleaded guilty Friday . "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.". Alabama 'criminals' went to 'create havoc' at Panama City Beach, mayor Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Spring breakers play beach games at Panama City Beach. Police may also temporarily close the beaches if things get out of hand. 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. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. 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. Anyone who is caught in possession. 160 arrests, 75 guns seized during PCB spring break, One injured in Front Beach Roadshooting, over 50 guns seized, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "We saw a 15.6% increase in March of . "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. "And then after that, my friend texted me, 'There's been a shooting,' and the road was closed down and then there's been another shooting. Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for our residents and visitors, said Panama City Beach police chief J.R. Talamantez in a statement. This is a resort town. 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. Up to a $500 fine or imprisonment in the County Jail up to 60 days. Unfortunately, you cant ban people from coming here and you never know the type of people who choose to vacation here," Hooker said. "That's what this (was). It then remained open on Sunday. Local businesses are fully aware of the laws in place and will act accordingly. He also said that while crime was rampant during the past weekend, things could have been a lot worse if it would not have been for the seamless teamwork of all local law enforcement agencies. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital). George Santos Under Scrutiny CBS News App Dont come here as a criminal and leave here and find yourself in the bay county jail or go home on probation and come back here and answer to the court system, Chief Smith said. As beach safety director for Panama. Climbing, jumping from, or throwing things from balconies is not allowed. It was at that time the parking lotof the Shoppes at Edgewater was "so jammed full of these idiots," he said. Crockett said in her 16 years of living in the area, this is one of the most dangerous spring breaks she's seen. As spring break season continues, many fear what is to come and if law enforcement is prepared. "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. It resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to anunnamed 21-year-old from Alabama. College students gather in Panama City Beach, FL during spring break in March 2020. At Wednesday's meeting, Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith showed fliers for a couple of such events, one a "spring break takeover" at a Panama City Club called Vibez on March 26, the. 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. How crime in Panama City Beach signaled the end of Spring Break "Honestly, I was blown away. Panama City Beach's 'Alabama invasion': Alcohol rules targeted to 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. During a chaotic Saturday night and Sunday evening, officers with the Beach Police Department, Panama City Police Department, Bay County Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol confiscated 75 illegal guns and arrested more than 160people. 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, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Two shootings and massive crowds of spring breakers have pushed the city of Miami Beach to declare a state of emergency. 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. 999 reviews. ', "It absolutely isn't, and it breaks my heart that they had to deal with these criminals this weekend. Talamantez said they are still investigating the case and looking for additional suspects. 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. Violence and fighting is strictly prohibited. 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.. 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. EVENTS. And you know, we raise our families here. "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.". Its all in an effort to keep the community safe. 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. 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. "But don't put your head in the sand. There was only one shooting, which Ford noted occurred off Front Beach Road. However, things may take a turn for those who dont follow PCBs spring break ordinances. "It's not the right direction to move," Volkov said of the past weekend. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Panama City spring break 2023. Panama City Beach is vacation destination, especially among people in the Southern United States.. Panama City Beach. All local law enforcement agencies have partnered together for spring break. Stephanie Pagones is a Digital Reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. 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. These ordinances prohibit alcohol possession or consumption on the beaches. Local law enforcement officials announced Monday that they confiscated 75 illegal guns and arrested more than 160people throughout the weekend. 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