Walton County Commissioners decided NOT to enact any further ordinances regarding the consumption of alcohol on south Walton beaches during Spring Break next year.
Commissioners had been considering adopting a new ordinance prohibiting alcohol on beaches and other public areas after last year’s rowdy scene in Panama City Beach resulting in brawls, shootings, gang rapes and public drunkenness.
At their regular meeting yesterday, Commissioners heard from Walton County Sheriff’s Major Joe Preston, Director of Law Enforcement Operations, regarding preparations for next year’s annual influx of college co-eds.
Preston said the Sheriff’s Office is prepared and has contingency plans in place for a variety of situations. The Major said he was comfortable that there were sufficient laws already on the books to address the issues that arise from such events.
Numerous residents had expressed opposition to additional ordinances that would further erode private property rights. Commissioner Bill Chapman has been a vocal supporter of private property rights and was concerned that additional laws could infringe on local residents who want to imbibe responsibly on their own property during spring break.
District 4 Commissioner Sara Comander yielded to the expertise of the Sheriff and asked if there were creative ways to help pay for the additional overtime and additional deputies that will certainly be needed. Comander suggested the Sheriff call in his Posse to help patrol and with crowd control next year to help offset costs. The Sheriff’s Posse is a volunteer force of non-sworn trained personnel the Sheriff can raise to assist in emergencies and the performance of his duties.
District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows requested a breakdown of data from the Sheriff’s office detailing proposed budgetary costs and number of deputies that might be needed. Major Preston said the Sheriff would provide the information to the commission.
Commissioner Bill Chapman said Commissioners could always meet in emergency session, if necessary to address any unforeseen circumstances. In the end, there issue died for lack of a motion and further support – to the applause of many.