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Climbing, jumping from, or throwing things from balconies is not allowed. SPRING BREAKERS LET LOOSE AMID NATIONWIDE CRIME SPIKE, CURFEW ENACTED IN ONE POPULAR DESTINATION. PANAMA CITY BEACH The Panama City Police Department warned potential Spring Break visitors Wednesday that officers will enforce the citys law with zero tolerance during the upcoming season. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, PANAMA CITY, Fla.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. The business then tried have normal business hours on Sunday, but with crowds still raging andportions of Front Beach Road closed, access to the restaurant was limited. "We weren't just seeing (criminals with) a 38 Special in the pocket. . Crowds remained on the sidewalks, while vehicular traffic was also heavy, he reportedly said. ", '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. Spring Break ordinances are in effect. FLORIDA SPRING BREAKERS CARRY ON IN PANAMA CITY, FAR AWAY FROM TROUBLES IN MIAMI BEACH. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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. Violence and fighting is strictly prohibited. Were going to go and get it if theyre breaking any of the rules, Tonjua Evans, operations manager of Hangout By The Sea, said. 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. Drinking alcohol on the sandy beaches and behind the wheel is also not permitted. 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 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. You must be 21 years of age to possess or drink alcohol. 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 leaders reminded the public Wednesday that the "Spring Break" laws have begun and will be "strictly enforced." For more News, Weather, and . "One of the preparations that we did is we spoke to a business owner and local community about the certain act that he wants to bring to town," Talamantez said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Published: Mar. Marshals Service. Panama City Beach expected a large crowd this weekend. At a press conference on Monday, law. Talamantez said they are still investigating the case and looking for additional suspects. Any holes dug should be properly filled in for the safety of all. NOTE: The VIP cards once purchased will not be mailed. As long as they follow through with that, I do not anticipate us passing any more laws.. Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most dominant basketball players in NBA history and is now also a larger-than-life entertainer! We "were driving down the road and there were these people getting pulled over and they were unloading an AR and everything," Hawkins said. Market data provided by Factset. That is what the businesses are committed to doing this year. 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. Talamantez confirmed to MyPanhandle.com. 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. One of them was Dianne Crockett, a Front Beach Road resident. Police may also temporarily close the beaches if things get out of hand. Answer Man: Is it illegal to take pictures of people without their permission? "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.". For us, its a good thing because it scares the bazebras out of people like me, Bruyn said. PANAMA CITY BEACH Sariah Hooker has lived in Panama City Beach for 12 years. "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.". Overnight scooter rentals are prohibited. College students gather in Panama City Beach, FL during spring break in March 2020. 1:38. In Panama City Beach, there are several spring break laws in place that started on March 1 and end on March 31. In response to the many circulating social media posts that. Trepanier said hedecided to wrap up for the night at about 5:30 p.m. "There was really no way to get to us, other than by foot," he said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. LikeTrepanier,Volkov said the weekend wasa reminder on why PCB officials have worked tirelessly during the past decade to rebrand the area into a family-friendly destination, and not a hotspot for lawless and rowdy tourists. News provided by. Panama City Beach Police Department officials released the following statement to NewsChannel 7. According to the department, they are working with the Bay County Sheriffs Office, Lynn Haven Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, Panama City Police Department along with other surrounding agencies. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) Panama City Beach police are holding a news conference about the ongoing situation on the beach. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. We encourage all residents and visitors to speak up. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. PANAMA CITY BEACH Sariah Hookerhas lived in Panama City Beachfor 12 years. 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. 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.. Everybody is positive.. 999 reviews. Legal Statement. Southern Comfort Mar 02, 2023, 08:30 ET . Dogs are only allowed at the designated Dog Beach west of the City Pier. Chief Talamantez wants visitors to have a good time but also abide by the following restrictions: Climbing, jumping off, or throwing anything from balconies is illegal. The consumption of alcohol in parking lots and in vehicles is not allowed. 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). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Katie Bente. Since businesses in Panama City can stay open later in March, Chief Smith said he planned ahead before Spring Break season arrived. Mar. Seller, buyer, property location, total purchase price, date. "I think our government and law enforcement are doing the best they can do in situations like this. 1. Beach police were joined by multiple agencies for the two operations. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. For emergencies, dial 911. Those arrested for violating any of the above City ordinances will serve a minimum of one night in jail, with the potential to serve up to 60 days and pay a fine of up to $500. Its all in an effort to keep the community safe. 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.. We appreciate everyones cooperation and understanding.. If something doesnt seem right it probably isnt, so use good judgement. The PCB Police Departments non-emergency number is (850) 233-5000. Panama City Beach Council members on Thursday unanimously approved an . "Our staff had to continue to accommodate them in the middle of all this destructive behavior, so their safety was put at risk.". "They were trying to have sex with children. 2023 www.newsherald.com. Police Chief J.R. Talamantez warned visitors that the police will take swift action against individuals who come with ill intentions. We've been there and done that. "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. It was at that time the parking lotof the Shoppes at Edgewater was "so jammed full of these idiots," he said. "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.". Local officials said the city was targeted by a group of . But, like most Panama City Beach residents,she's never experienced anything as chaotic as this pastweekend. PANAMA CITY BEACH Local law enforcement officials say they will not tolerate tourists who bring crime to the Beach.. Law enforcement officials in Bay County said Sunday . 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. More than 100 people congregated in the Walmart parking lot during the riot and wereshown on video taking over the store. Panama City Commissioners last year considered adopting the alcohol ordinance, but after speaking and working with local businesses they decided not to adopt it. Riding on the exterior of vehicles, including sitting on the edge of window sills and standing up through the sun roof, is strictly prohibited. Loitering in parking lots or on the shoulder of the roadway is strictly prohibited. '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. 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. EVENTS. "I felt unsafe in a place that I have called home for many years and that is a horrible feeling. "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. "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. ", 'What justice looks like in Bay County': 160 arrests, 75 guns seized during PCB spring break, 'Close down spring break': Residents, vacationing families caught in crossfire of PCB chaos. 4 min read PANAMA CITY BEACH Local law enforcement officials say while they knew weeks in advance that a potentially dangerous. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Their sole intention is to break the law andcause havoc. Double red flags signify a ban on entry into the Gulf. A slew of rules are enforced throughout the entire month of March. 2023 www.newsherald.com. "As I was walking through the crime scenes Sunday, all I could think about is 'This is not our beach. 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. Copyright 2022 WJHG. Loud music which disturbs the peace is prohibited. While the pastweekend's trouble makers were not traditional spring breakers, Ford noted that they were similar to what officials have referred to as the "hundred-milers." "That's not just because we're scared of (those words). ", According to Panama City Police Department Chief Mark Smith, the visitors toBay County whocaused the weekend'schaos were not traditional spring breakers, but "true criminals.". 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. 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. But it's not . Law enforcement and city officials are cracking down on those who don't abide by the rules this spring break. 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. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Two shootings and massive crowds of spring . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Published: Mar. All rights reserved. We appreciate everyones cooperation and understanding.. Panama City Beach is anticipating an uptick in visitors during Spring Break next month. "It's not the right direction to move," Volkov said of the past weekend. Funded by Bay Point Advisors, LLC, this brand-new Comfort . We had a plan in place due to a large number of visitors over the weekend. Spring breakers play beach games at Panama City Beach. "I see it getting worse because law enforcement can't keep up with the crowd," Crockett said. or redistributed. You can have fun here without being involved in illegal activities. 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. Entrepreneur - Amanda Breen 1d. Panama City Beach, FL. 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. See recent changes in local employment, regional inflation and more in these regularly updated charts and maps. "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. The consumption of alcohol in parking lots and in vehicles is not allowed. We were seeing (them) with rifles in backpacks.". The consumption or possession of alcohol is not allowed on the sandy beach during the month of March. You can cancel at any time. "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. Chief Smith said they all might be separate agencies, but they can unify as one quickly. There was only one shooting, which Ford noted occurred off Front Beach Road. The small business specializes in golf cart rentals. We have to keep a little bit of a closer eye on that during spring break because those kids are on a budget.. The nightly cutoff is normally 4 a.m. 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.