• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Subscribe
American Police Beat

American Police Beat Magazine

Law Enforcement Publication

  • Home
  • Editor’s Picks
    • Improve your pistol-handling skills
      What you need to know about automatic license plate readers
      Do cops need more training?
      Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner
      Seeking the right kind of help
  • Topics
    • On the Job
      • San Diego County Sheriff’s Department unveils new night-flying...
        Security guard and former police chief killed in New Hampshire...
        San Diego County Sheriff’s Department unveils new night-flying...
        Toddler fires mom’s gun inside Ohio Walmart store
        Heroic K-9 unit honored at National Dog Show for role in capturing...
    • Labor
      • LAPD union files lawsuit against city over delayed pay raises
        “You can’t play politics with public safety”
        “It’s going to be extremely painful for New Yorkers”
        California Highway Patrol officers set to receive significant salary...
        Seattle City Council approves new agreement with police union
    • Tech
      • NYPD explores cutting-edge drone detection vehicle to enhance city...
        The use of military assets by U.S. police
        What you need to know about automatic license plate readers
        Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner
        North Carolina schools, businesses to beef up active shooter security...
    • Training
      • Ballistic shields in patrol operations
        Four things you need to know to control escalation
        Series of fires in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s mobile shooting...
        Using learning factors to influence your performance
        Lancaster Police Department introduces agility course in recruitment...
    • Policy
      • L.A. City Council seeks to require police permits for short-term...
        “Hate has no place in Massachusetts”
        “No child should be unsafe in their own city”
        Federal court rules Pennsylvania township’s ban on thin blue line...
        Texas House passes controversial immigration bill
    • Health/Wellness
      • Harnessing our strength: Post-traumatic growth
        Scientifically proven ways for cops to thrive
        The depression–anger cycle
        What does it mean to be a sheepdog?
        Depression screening
    • Community
      • Off-duty first responders save friend’s life after he experiences...
        New Jersey departments unite for No Shave November
        The nobility of serving
        “The smile is a universal language”
        THC-infused candy incident raises safety concerns in California city
    • Offbeat
      • 12-year-old boy arrested after stolen forklift chase in Ann Arbor
        Bizarre police chase ends with suspect trapped in porta potty
        Jewelry store heist ends in high-speed chase and mystifying response...
        Massachusetts community steps in to protect black bear “Pumpkin”...
        Florida moms call cops on school librarians for distributing...
    • We Remember
      • Charlotte bridge dedicated to first female casualty in...
        Birmingham community mourns passing of its first Black police...
        “For those who suffered in silence and were lost”
        “You’re my hero”
        Manhattan Beach police officer and Las Vegas shooting survivor...
  • On the Job
    • San Diego County Sheriff’s Department unveils new night-flying...
      Security guard and former police chief killed in New Hampshire...
      San Diego County Sheriff’s Department unveils new night-flying...
      Toddler fires mom’s gun inside Ohio Walmart store
      Heroic K-9 unit honored at National Dog Show for role in capturing...
  • Labor
    • LAPD union files lawsuit against city over delayed pay raises
      “You can’t play politics with public safety”
      “It’s going to be extremely painful for New Yorkers”
      California Highway Patrol officers set to receive significant salary...
      Seattle City Council approves new agreement with police union
  • Tech
    • NYPD explores cutting-edge drone detection vehicle to enhance city...
      The use of military assets by U.S. police
      What you need to know about automatic license plate readers
      Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner
      North Carolina schools, businesses to beef up active shooter security...
  • Training
    • Ballistic shields in patrol operations
      Four things you need to know to control escalation
      Series of fires in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s mobile shooting...
      Using learning factors to influence your performance
      Lancaster Police Department introduces agility course in recruitment...
  • Policy
    • L.A. City Council seeks to require police permits for short-term...
      “Hate has no place in Massachusetts”
      “No child should be unsafe in their own city”
      Federal court rules Pennsylvania township’s ban on thin blue line...
      Texas House passes controversial immigration bill
  • Health/Wellness
    • Harnessing our strength: Post-traumatic growth
      Scientifically proven ways for cops to thrive
      The depression–anger cycle
      What does it mean to be a sheepdog?
      Depression screening
  • Community
    • Off-duty first responders save friend’s life after he experiences...
      New Jersey departments unite for No Shave November
      The nobility of serving
      “The smile is a universal language”
      THC-infused candy incident raises safety concerns in California city
  • Offbeat
    • 12-year-old boy arrested after stolen forklift chase in Ann Arbor
      Bizarre police chase ends with suspect trapped in porta potty
      Jewelry store heist ends in high-speed chase and mystifying response...
      Massachusetts community steps in to protect black bear “Pumpkin”...
      Florida moms call cops on school librarians for distributing...
  • We Remember
    • Charlotte bridge dedicated to first female casualty in...
      Birmingham community mourns passing of its first Black police...
      “For those who suffered in silence and were lost”
      “You’re my hero”
      Manhattan Beach police officer and Las Vegas shooting survivor...
  • Between the Lines
    • Debunking the perpetual narrative of racial bias in policing
      The unspoken truth behind the recruitment and retention crisis
      The police reform goal: use of force without options
      The imprisonment of law enforcement technology
      Persecution of the LEO is classic schadenfreude
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Search

On the Job

“Officers are exhausted”: Florida police struggle to contain this year’s spring break chaos

APB Team Published April 14, 2022 @ 6:00 am PDT

iStock.com/nito100

Spring break is always a busy time for Florida law enforcement. Each spring, thousands of college students and young people flock to the state’s beaches to party, but police say that this year’s spring break is especially chaotic and dangerous.

The rowdy behavior of those descending upon Florida cities this year has led local businesses from Miami Beach to Florida’s Panhandle to temporarily cease operations and has even triggered shootings and curfews.

On April 3, Bay County law enforcement officials said a 21-year-old vacationer from Alabama was shot in the foot during a shooting when things got out of control in Panama City Beach.

“The crowd that has been here this weekend, there are no words that can describe the way they have behaved themselves, conducted themselves, and the amount of laws they have broken,” Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez told reporters following the shooting. “We are doing the best to manage this situation.”

Police got wind of the situation just before the shooting started. Six people were detained and could be charged with attempted murder.

In addition, Panama City Beach law enforcement officials displayed 75 guns they confiscated in recent weeks — a testament to the illegal activity that spring break attracts.

Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said that 161 people were booked in the county jail over the weekend, which he described as “difficult, trying and dangerous” for everyone. Seventy-eight of those arrested were from Alabama.

“Each one of these 75 illegal firearms represents a violent armed encounter with law enforcement,” Ford said. “This weekend could have very well resulted in tragedy of a law enforcement loss of life, a citizen’s loss of life and even a bad guy’s loss of life.”

Panama City police Chief Mark Smith said that even some local nightclubs volunteered to close their doors to snuff out the parties.

However, officials say this year is particularly dangerous as those who were arrested were not your typical spring breakers looking for a good time.

“These are criminals that came to our city and brought the guns with the intent to commit some type of act,” Smith said.

Meanwhile, law enforcement in South Beach, Florida, reacted to the spring break crowds by imposing a curfew when public drinking, gambling and violence got out of hand. Miami officials declared a state of emergency and even closed down roads to manage the chaos.

Police said several shootings in the area injured five people over the past week.

In response to the chaos, the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police union tweeted a video of officers in golf carts surrounded by a mob of partygoers.

“The video is a snippet of the crowds and dangers we face. Officers are EXHAUSTED. The party needs to end,” President of the union Paul Ozaeta wrote. “City officials must take immediate and firm action to ensure the safety of officers and residents.”

Citizens across the state say they prepare for spring break by staying in and waiting it out.

“I know the citizens are frustrated. Trust me, we are frustrated too,” Talamantez said. “The harsh reality is we cannot control who comes to town. But what we can control is what happens to you if you commit a crime in this town. We will hold you accountable.”

Categories: On the Job Tags: spring break, chaos, Panama City, Miami Beach, party, Mark Smith, curfew, Florida, shooting, gun violence

Primary Sidebar

Recent Articles

  • L.A. City Council seeks to require police permits for short-term rentals
  • 12-year-old boy arrested after stolen forklift chase in Ann Arbor
  • “Hate has no place in Massachusetts”
  • Bill Alexander Named CEO of National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
  • Charlotte bridge dedicated to first female casualty in Charlotte-Mecklenburg P.D. history
  • Bizarre police chase ends with suspect trapped in porta potty
  • “No child should be unsafe in their own city”
  • San Diego County Sheriff’s Department unveils new night-flying firefighting helicopter
  • Security guard and former police chief killed in New Hampshire Hospital shooting
  • San Diego County Sheriff’s Department unveils new night-flying firefighting helicopter

Footer

Our Mission
To serve as a trusted voice of the nation’s law enforcement community, providing informative, entertaining and inspiring content on interesting and engaging topics affecting peace officers today.

Contact us: info@apbweb.com | (800) 234-0056.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Categories

  • Editor’s Picks
  • On the Job
  • Labor
  • Tech
  • Training
  • Policy
  • Health/Wellness
  • Community
  • Offbeat
  • We Remember
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Events

Editor’s Picks

Improve your pistol-handling skills

Improve your pistol-handling skills

October 21, 2023

What you need to know about automatic license plate readers

What you need to know about automatic license plate readers

October 20, 2023

Do cops need <em>more</em> training?

Do cops need more training?

October 17, 2023

Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner

Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner

October 16, 2023

Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Options | Notice at Collection | Copyright © 2023 APB Media, LLC | Website design, development and maintenance by 911MEDIA

Open

Subscribe

Close

Receive the latest news and updates from American Police Beat directly to your inbox!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.