Walton County Sheriff's Office: Spring Break Report

TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,973 postsJoined Nov 15, '04View profile MessageSoWal Guide

Mar 21, '22 · 11:17 AM6,2451

Walton County Sheriff's Office
Facebook Report
Monday March 21 2022

Many of you have seen videos (specifically three of the same night and location) circulating on the news and on social media in regards to spring break in Walton County. The TODAY show also aired a story this morning and referenced the curfew put in place by Seaside strategically sandwiched between two instances of shootings from around the state, which we have not experienced here in our county.

You have concerns, questions, and suggestions as to how you'd like your public safety and law enforcement agency to address spring break and we hear you - we are listening.

Tonight, we plan to show you some of the things we've been doing to deter criminal activity and our efforts to mitigate serious tragedy and outcomes during these next few weeks.

We will be tweeting, Instagramming (we know that's not a word), and posting live on Facebook as our team works the areas of concern in the south end of our county. No lip service. We won't be talking about it. We will be doing it - showing you our deputies, what they are facing, and the hard work they are putting in.

Here are the numbers so far. They are continuing to climb as we add more and more resources to areas that pop up as "hot spots".

Totals for Spring Break:
Alcohol Possession Under 21 - 55
Beach Ordinance Violations - 40
Noise Loud Party – 24
Traffic Stops - 372

To give you an update on a case of criminal mischief we posted on March 15th. Those individuals have been identified and reside in Tennessee. Charges are pending.

We look forward to you hanging out with us and will do our best to answer any questions you have as we go. Thanks and we will see you tonight as we Tweet from the beat!

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Replies

Beach daysBeach daysBeach LoverFreeport117 postsJoined Jul 2, '17View profile MessageBeach Lover

Mar 21, '22 · 6:21 PM#2

Maybe we should have something for teenagers to do when they are here. We hear about how much tax revenue brings in to south end but no one has provided anything for the kids to do at night. Family oriented seems to cater to adults only.

Maybe all the teenagers should stage a sit in during the middle of the afternoon and crowd the town center until 8:00pm.

bob bob

bob bobBeach FanaticSRB890 postsJoined Mar 29, '17View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Mar 21, '22 · 6:43 PM#3

Maybe we should have something for teenagers to do when they are here. We hear about how much tax revenue brings in to south end but no one has provided anything for the kids to do at night. Family oriented seems to cater to adults only.

Maybe all the teenagers should stage a sit in during the middle of the afternoon and crowd the town center until 8:00pm.

haha - I think they're doing exactly what they want to be doing.

Matt J

Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined May 9, '07View profile MessageSWGB

Mar 21, '22 · 8:16 PM#4

Maybe we should have something for teenagers to do when they are here. We hear about how much tax revenue brings in to south end but no one has provided anything for the kids to do at night. Family oriented seems to cater to adults only.

Maybe all the teenagers should stage a sit in during the middle of the afternoon and crowd the town center until 8:00pm.

Why do we have to provide anything for them?

Why aren't their parents doing this?

We are not a babysitting service. We are a family oriented destination, therefore maybe the families should get together and figure that out?

I Bike 30A I Bike 30A avatar

I Bike 30ABeach ComberWatersound21 postsJoined Feb 13, '21View profile MessageBeach Comber

Mar 21, '22 · 8:24 PM#5

Well said Matt!

Maybe there should be stronger regulations and penalties for renters and parents that allow teenagers to fully occupy rentals with no parental supervision.

If you want to take a vacation without your kids…. Leave them at home!

UofL

UofLBeach FanaticLouisville KY755 postsJoined Jan 21, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Mar 22, '22 · 8:12 AM#6

We were there at the end of Feb. and beginning of March. It was so nice. PCB like spring break has now come to Seaside. And don't forget Fall break. Could security accompany these schools and communities to 30A? Just as utilities help other communities after storms, beach communities need help. Early curfews is a beginning. Ellen

Teresa

TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,973 postsJoined Nov 15, '04View profile MessageSoWal GuideAuthor

Mar 22, '22 · 9:05 AM#7

Maybe we should have something for teenagers to do when they are here. We hear about how much tax revenue brings in to south end but no one has provided anything for the kids to do at night. Family oriented seems to cater to adults only.

Maybe all the teenagers should stage a sit in during the middle of the afternoon and crowd the town center until 8:00pm.

There are outdoor concerts and movies on the lawn, outdoor theater, and lots of other events planned for families in the early evenings, throughout the week in many places. I think it's after dark when things get crazy in certain areas. Just a whole lot of people in town. Teens congregate as they have always done. The Sheriff's office has always worked hard to keep things under control and I appreciate it. It's hard work but necessary. Usually there are a few places where they need to maintain a presence.

Beach daysBeach daysBeach LoverFreeport117 postsJoined Jul 2, '17View profile MessageBeach Lover

Mar 22, '22 · 11:32 AM#8

There’s plenty of space in sea side school grass area. Also watercolors. This is not about how many people packed into a rental home. It’s about having something for kids to do. I know when I was 16,17 years old . 8 o’clock curfew wouldn’t have worked, just like kids now it’s not fair for them to come on vacation then be told to go home at 8

Matt J

Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined May 9, '07View profile MessageSWGB

Mar 22, '22 · 11:58 AM#9

There’s plenty of space in sea side school grass area. Also watercolors. This is not about how many people packed into a rental home. It’s about having something for kids to do. I know when I was 16,17 years old . 8 o’clock curfew wouldn’t have worked, just like kids now it’s not fair for them to come on vacation then be told to go home at 8

These are not public property.

Why don't you suggest an activity instead of offering up the idea that someone should provide something?

PoppaJ

PoppaJSoWal Insider8,336 postsJoined Oct 9, '15View profile MessageSoWal Insider

Mar 22, '22 · 1:06 PM#10

To expand on what Matt said, maybe the reason behind these kids causing trouble is as simple as them having poor parenting. The last thing we want to do is make them feel uncomfortable by obeying rules.

SUP Boarder SUP Boarder avatar

SUP BoarderBeach LoverSeacrest130 postsJoined Jun 12, '19View profile MessageBeach Lover

Mar 22, '22 · 7:11 PM#11

Maybe we should have something for teenagers to do when they are here. We hear about how much tax revenue brings in to south end but no one has provided anything for the kids to do at night. Family oriented seems to cater to adults only.

Maybe all the teenagers should stage a sit in during the middle of the afternoon and crowd the town center until 8:00pm.

SoWal has a lot to offer, but it's not for everyone; nor should it be. When you visit here, you should expect the relaxed lifestyle.

Matt J

Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined May 9, '07View profile MessageSWGB

Mar 22, '22 · 8:35 PM#12

I think the issue is the kids don't have a choice. This is ultimately shitty parents that are likely allowing their kids to run wild while partying like college kids. Check the mugshots; I don't remember multiple arrests for child neglect, DUI with person under 12 in vehicle, domestic violence, etc.

UofL

UofLBeach FanaticLouisville KY755 postsJoined Jan 21, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Mar 23, '22 · 1:03 PM#13

There are outdoor concerts and movies on the lawn, outdoor theater, and lots of other events planned for families in the early evenings, throughout the week in many places. I think it's after dark when things get crazy in certain areas. Just a whole lot of people in town. Teens congregate as they have always done. The Sheriff's office has always worked hard to keep things under control and I appreciate it. It's hard work but necessary. Usually there are a few places where they need to maintain a presence.

Small towns cannot handle the amount of crowds of any kind. Perhaps national guard troops (without weapons)?

Teresa

TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,973 postsJoined Nov 15, '04View profile MessageSoWal GuideAuthor

Mar 23, '22 · 1:46 PM#14

Small towns cannot handle the amount of crowds of any kind. Perhaps national guard troops (without weapons)?

I think the Sheriff's Office has it under control. They would bring in assistance if necessary. They are the experts.

If Walton County wants to change the way spring break looks like then they will have to do hard things like PCB and other places have done. While it gets out of control during certain spring break weeks, I've only heard of a few places that have been involved.

lesson25

lesson25Beach Comber20 postsJoined Jan 26, '16View profile MessageBeach Comber

Mar 23, '22 · 8:59 PM#15

Sounds like the entitled suburbs of greater Atlanta is on Spring Break?

James BentwoodJames BentwoodBeach Fanatic1,614 postsJoined Feb 24, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Mar 23, '22 · 9:46 PM#16

Sounds like the entitled suburbs of greater Atlanta is on Spring Break?

Not yet. A couple of weeks is the blitzkrieg.

Relatively quiet this week.

deborsk

deborskBeach Lover133 postsJoined Jul 10, '05View profile MessageBeach Lover

Mar 23, '22 · 10:08 PM#17

Sounds like the entitled suburbs of greater Atlanta is on Spring Break?

Atlanta arrives the weekend beginning April 2.

Matt J

Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined May 9, '07View profile MessageSWGB

Mar 24, '22 · 7:20 AM#18

Atlanta arrives the weekend beginning April 2.

It's always Easter weekend. Way worse than the second coming.

UofL

UofLBeach FanaticLouisville KY755 postsJoined Jan 21, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Mar 24, '22 · 7:50 AM#19

I think the Sheriff's Office has it under control. They would bring in assistance if necessary. They are the experts.

If Walton County wants to change the way spring break looks like then they will have to do hard things like PCB and other places have done. While it gets out of control during certain spring break weeks, I've only heard of a few places that have been involved.

If there are only certain weeks/cities/schools then I guess you guys are good. When we were there in 2010, my husband was still teaching, so our public schools were there. Also, apparently each parochial school had a neighborhood and they are out the same time. Anyway, back then, it was crowded & we decided to not return. There were 2 cars set on fire (one near Charlie's house). FYI Louisville's spring break starts April 2. Hopefully there's not bad behavior.

Dawn

DawnBeach Fanatic1,367 postsJoined Oct 16, '08View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Mar 24, '22 · 8:55 AM#20

I remember when we only had one or two busy spring break weeks. Now it's a couple of months. And Fall break. And winter break. etc. I don't mean that SoWal has gotten more popular, which it obviously has, I'm referring to expanded breaks. Long weekends too.

America is changing.