Spring Breakers Flock to Florida: Police Arrest 160, Find Dozens of Guns

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Newsweek


BY GERRARD KAONGA ON 3/29/22 AT 7:40 AM EDT

Over 160 people were booked into county jail and Florida's Panama City Beach Police confiscated 75 guns, according to reports, as this year's Spring Break came to an end.

These arrests and gun confiscations came after Miami Beach declared a state of emergency following shootings in the area.

Among the orders made as a response to violence was a citywide curfew, which began at 12:01 a.m. on March 24 and ended at 6 a.m. on March 28.

"We can't endure this anymore, we just simply cannot have people come to our city and have to worry about being shot. That's not a way a city can operate," Mayor Dan Gelber said, regarding the fears around spring break violence.



Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/spring-breaker-florida-police-arrest-guns-crime-panama-city-police-1692845

[Scrivener7]

1. Gosh. Liquor, partying, guns. Who could have seen that coming?

[COL Mustard]

12. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firerarms and Explosives

A Government agency, or a one-stop party store?

[Scrivener7]

14. It's Miami, baby!

[mitch96]

2. When i lived in So Fla spring break was kind of a double edge sword. We loved the tourist $$

But did not care for the idiots. Crazy traffic on the beach. Kids dying doing crazy stunts...uff...So Ft Lauderdale kicked them out. The kids went to Daytona beach.. they kicked them out so now it's Miami... .Such a problem making money these days..
m

[LiberalFighter]

18. Daytona Beach doesn't have Spring Break?

[mitch96]

20. All these cities have an on again, off again love affair with spring break. New mayors promises

"crack down" but let'em come.. It's all about the $$$$$...
I wonder after the smoke clears with the police overtime, emergency room visits, death and destruction..is it worth it?
m

[SergeStorms]

50. Daytona has "Biker Week" now.

No problems associated with that, right?

Besides, bikers have more money than penny-pinching college kids.

[JohnnyRingo]

58. I'd bet Bike Week is a lot less trouble.

They tend to party privately and being more mature, don't do the crazy things college kids do. They might rip their bike up and down the street and get a ticket, but they don't riot. They don't destroy property or start fights over girls gone wild.

I'm surprised these Summer Breakers are carrying firearms now.

[SergeStorms]

61. Right.

There won't be 15 of them renting one room and trashing the place.

These aren't the greasy motorcycle gang bikers. Many of them are very well healed and for many of them this is their 'Sturgis', but with all the creature comforts they're used to. Comfortable rooms, good restaurants, sun, sand, and old friends from across the nation.

There's much more money to be made with them with a fraction of the headaches. The merchants in Daytona love them.

[Tommy Carcetti]

65. I hated Biker Week when I lived near Daytona.

It was noisy. So noisy.

And lots of obnoxious bikers all over the place. I don't care if they were considered "well groomed."

Inevitably about a dozen or so would die each year in accidents.

[JohnnyRingo]

66. I wouldn't want to live near a speedway

Also on a road leading to a concert pavilion pending a Grateful Dead show.
Or near a railroad track intersection.
Nor on final approach near a C-130 Hercules base like I do.

All I can say is realtors know what time to show a house.

[SergeStorms]

74. If you had to choose....

would you choose living in Sturgis, or Daytona?

Remember, you have to choose one of them!

I'm not a motorcyclist so I wouldn't have actual experience to go on, but I think I'd choose Daytona.

[Tommy Carcetti]

77. Oh, Daytona, no doubt.

I enjoyed living in the area.

Just didn't care for the noise of Bike Week.

[SergeStorms]

78. I can see how that would be annoying.

I imagine Daytona 500 week is a little annoying as well.

You have to take the good with the bad no matter where you live I guess.

[hlthe2b]

3. Honestly, I don't know how any parent could allow their teen or even college student to go to these

crap-fests. They obviously get their money to go somewhere and most must do so on "mom and daddy's" $$. So easy for kids to get pulled into something they hadn't intended. I guess it is quaint to think that they might do the kinds of things I did at that age--go skiing or hiking or just go to the (more low-key) beach with a small group of friends. A few beers maybe but no deadly drinking games, drugs (well, I guess pot was around) or worse...

[Scrivener7]

15. Not to mention the money to buy the guns.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

75. Probably more likely the guns are in the hands of drug dealers plying their trade

in the fruitful grounds of FL spring break

[Chainfire]

39. Parental control of college kids? You must be kidding.

Mom, I need some money, I am going home with **** for the weekend where we will spend time hiking the nature trails and going to church on Sunday. The last ten years of my working career was spent on a major college campus. It was Spring break around the clock, every day, on campus. Especially on Frat row, but at the dorms as well.

[róisín_dubh]

41. You could be describing my employer...

Almost always at the top of the party school list. 🙄

[Chainfire]

43. I just looked, it is certainly in the top ten today, and has held the no. 1 spot in the past.

[llmart]

73. That was my experience also.

The last five years of my career were at a university. Not only did parents hand them money for anything and everything, they were happy to be rid of them and not have them coming home and laying around on their couch eating their food. Every once in awhile I'd have a student working for me who was exceptional in that she/he would be serious about their studies, appreciative of their parents paying for their schooling and then work a part time job and a work study job while going to school full time.

My two now-grown children were those kinds of students. In fact, my son paid all of his college himself along with quite a bit of scholarship money. My daughter paid everything but her tuition but she went to a university close to home so she could live at home. She wanted no part of the party scene. She also worked as a cashier in a grocery store after school and on weekends so she could pay for her car, gas and maintenance.

[Blues Heron]

4. we just simply cannot have people come to our city and have to worry about being shot.

Is this guy kidding? this is the USA gaddummit!

[Scrivener7]

16. Wonder how many voted for the guys who introduced "stand your ground."

I'm guessing a majority.

[Blues Heron]

17. exactly. hoist by their own petard, as the saying goes

[Emile]

5. Damn, when Baby Boomers had spring break guns were never a problem!

[TexasBushwhacker]

32. Yup, just drinking yourself into a coma

and choking on your own vomit.

[Emile]

36. Bwhaha +1

[Peregrine Took]

55. "Where the boys are...."

I never went on a spring break but enjoyed them through the movies.

[Emile]

59. I was in the Navy stationed in Jacksonville. I went to it

once. I was hitchhiking to Miami to spend a week with my mother and four girls from Ohio State University picked me up and took me all the way to Fort Lauderdale. Never did make it to Miami, but boy did I have fun!

[DFW]

6. The mayor of Miami should tell his tale to his governor

Florida‘s Republican governor apparently CAN have people coming there with guns, and doesn‘t give a rat‘s ass about whether or not the people who live there need to worry about getting shot.

[tinymontgomery]

7. I don't understand, FL loves guns

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/fl-gun-laws/

[getagrip_already]

8. So, you pass dozens of in your face pro gun laws and then whine....

About guns and gun violence.

That's rich.

You even passed a stand your ground law where intoxication can't be used against a person shooting another.

As you sow, so shall you reap.

Just how did they find all these guns anyway? Stop and frisk?

[Rebl2]

25. Exactly!

All these republican states love their guns and lax gun laws, then they go nuts when they see so many people in their states being shot and killed or injured. Ummmm, I wonder if there is a connection.🙄🙄🙄

[KS Toronado]

28. Simple, they stopped & frisked everyone who said gay

now that that word is illegal in Florida.

[Traildogbob]

34. A Fracking Men

Exactly. Don’t carry skittles or be black and you’re fine. It’s Just getting started with the red state gun balooza. Reap what ya sew. A law maker can get shot in the ass and still demand more guns. Maybe Desatan will catch some friendly fire in the ass. (Meaning anywhere on his slimy carcass)

[Hugh_Lebowski]

76. Insinuation is pretty obvious ... it's mostly black people with the guns in this case

That's why it's 'a problem'.

[sop]

9. Wait till DeSantis signs the bill legalizing the carrying of firearms without a permit in Florida.

When asked if he would sign a constitutional carry bill (legalizing concealed carry without a license) if it made his desk, DeSantis said, “of course.” Apparently, there aren't enough drunk, belligerent assholes packing heat in this damned state yet.

[Chainfire]

33. As a Floridian, my question is when will open carry be allowed like in our neighboring states.

The only reason it hasn't, in my opinion, is that it would scare off our European tourists. Disney will have none of that.

[twodogsbarking]

10. Substitute country for city in the Mayor's quote.

"We can't endure this anymore, we just simply cannot have people come to our city and have to worry about being shot. That's not a way a city can operate,"

[TeamProg]

47. +1

[old as dirt]

11. Arrogant Worms - Wouldn't it be great if everybody had a gun?

[Judi Lynn]

13. 161 arrested, 75 guns seized in 'PCB Takeover' over spring break in Florida

By: Dan TrujilloPosted at 8:11 AM, Mar 29, 2022 and last updated 7:16 AM, Mar 29, 2022

161 people were arrested during what some social media groups were calling "PCB Takeover" at Panama City Beach over the weekend.

Bay County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook about the arrests at events like house parties, spontaneous parties in parking lots and concerts.

The majority of the arrests made by Bay County Sheriff's Office were for illegal firearms charges, as 75 firearms were seized by law enforcement.

“We will not tolerate this criminal activity. These are behaviors that we as a community have fought before, won, and moved on to become a premier family destination,” Sheriff Tommy Ford said. “To anyone coming to Panama City Beach to commit criminal acts with an intent to “Takeover” our beach, we will continue the good fight, and dedicate whatever resources necessary to keep Bay County safe. We are united with the support of our elected officials and our community for the resources we need. I assure you; it will not be a “REAL FUN BEACH” inside the Bay County Jail. If you come here to act like a criminal, we will treat you like one.”

More:
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/state/161-arrested-in-pcb-takeover-over-spring-break-in-florida

[BumRushDaShow]

24. Panama City Beach barely escaped the worst of the damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

where just east, Panama City and moreso, Mexico Beach, took the brunt.

Panama City Beach, FL

Panama City, FL



Mexico Beach, FL



They have obviously been in that quandary after dealing with the aftermath of the hurricane and then the pandemic, to try to bring back their livelihoods (obviously tourism), but there is always that same annual downside to that "spring break" time of year.

[TeamProg]

49. I live in Calif. TFG didn't want to give us fire disaster relief money.

and CA PAYS more money into Fed coffers than any other state.

[BumRushDaShow]

52. You remember that was purportedly due to not "raking" the forest

[TeamProg]

63. +1 !!!

[heckles65]

21. I always thought I was smart

to steer clear of the spring break crowd. This confirms it.

[Jetheels]

22. Spring Break Packing List:

✅ bathing suit
✅suntan lotion
✅rifle

[doc03]

23. They arrest 160 people and only find 75 guns, we need more guns.

[Phoenix61]

26. They are not spring breakers.

They are 100 milers. They come to prey on the college kids ie sell them drugs, alcohol etc. The events were advertised on social media since January. Local PD would rather complain about the situation than develop an effective solution to deal with the problem which has been happening for years.

[ToxMarz]

46. Yeah, I don't know about calling them Spring Breakers either

I always associated it with College spring break, but I guess the definition is in the eye of the beholder. Anyone I suppose is entitled to take a break in the spring.

[maxsolomon]

70. Links?

"100 Milers"?

[Phoenix61]

72. Links to what? They are not college kids.

They drive from Dothan, Birmingham etc. I live in the area and it’s been an ongoing issue.

[maxsolomon]

79. Just never heard of it.

I found an article that mentioned the phenomena - supply and demand I guess. I guess they drive a 100 to sell drugs, hence the name.

[Phoenix61]

80. Yep! Panama City Beach is primarily a drive to

destination for vacationers. Not sure where 100 milers came from as many come from Atlanta.

[DownriverDem]

27. Serious Question

Aren't there any warm weather states that aren't Florida or Arizona? I personally do not want to give those states my money.

[getagrip_already]

31. Weatherwise.... yes. Affordable and Tolerant? Not really.....

There are lots of states that have good early season wx, they just don't put up with frat party crap that goes along with spring break get togethers.

There are elite party spots of course, but unless your parents are millionaires you won't be able to afford the digs.

[Ace Rothstein]

48. Coachella Valley is beautiful this time of year.

[BlueWavePsych]

29. Crazed spring breakers with guns and alcohol, a wonderful combination ...

[Chainfire]

30. The owners of the hotels, bars, restaurants, and police forces, love spring breakers

everyone else hates them. Locals stay as far away as possible from the Spring Breakers.

For the Panama City Beach police to find 75 illegally possessed weapons, under Florida laws, they must have detained thousands of people with "legal" weapons. You can be drunk as a skunk and legally possess a firearm here, unless the gun is in your hand. On the other hand, it is illegal to possess a firearm in a bar, so that may account for many arrests. It is legal to have a gun in a bar that is also a restaurant, sometimes, maybe; it is a grey area subject to how good your lawyer is.

I do not know if it is still the case, but PCB used to make hundreds of arrests a week for having an open container of alcohol on the beach, or any other place open to the public. (sidewalks, streets, etc.) Step out of the entertainment facility to make a phone call, with a drink in your hand and go to the Graybar hotel for the night. Anyone not familiar with their policy can easily fall into that trap. It was rumored, at one time, that they financed the police force with the fines collected that way.

[Pepsidog]

35. DeSantis is a nightmare candidate for president. We need to be very concerned.

[Peregrine Took]

56. Like only the Russians can dump Putin at the polls, same with this creep.

Florida voters do your job!!

[Chainfire]

37. I would really be interested in seeing the breakdown of arrests by race.

Bay, and surrounding counties are not exactly the most warm and inviting places in Florida for people of color.

[maxsolomon]

71. If POCs have the guns, then POCs have the guns.

Is PCB an African-American Spring Break destination? I have no clue; I'm in the PNW.

[Historic NY]

38. Red Neck Rivera aka as Floridabama

[IronLionZion]

40. An armed society is a polite society

especially when drunk and looking for a fight

[Marcuse]

42. Was Rittenhouse there looking for kicks and giggles?

[TeamProg]

44. Uh.. Duh ? ? ? ? ?

[BidenRocks]

45. Don't get caught singing

The Flintstones "we'll have a gay old time"!
Busted!

[AncientOfDays]

51. Just a note:

Gun fondlers always yell about liberals/Democrats confiscating guns - but here it's conservatives in a Red State confiscating the guns.

[NoMoreRepugs]

53. King Ron AKA 'The Little General" is reveling in this publicity - ANY mention of his name

in the National press is good for his cred with the Deplorable ShitBags.

[Diraven]

54. I did spring break there 30 years ago

And I don't remember ever worrying about guns there back then. I wonder what's changed...

[Quakerfriend]

57. I have a friend who lives in one the worst neighborhoods in Philly. She told me

that the kids usually drive down to FL for spring break, rather than fly, so that they can take their guns with them. 😳

[Warpy]

60. Well, I guess those guns killed spring break

I know a lot of parents aren't going to cough up the $$ from now on and most of the kids are already living on ramen to make the loans stretch far enough.

Why the hell these kids take guns to a drunken orgy is beyond me.

[getagrip_already]

62. These trips are disposable income for a lot of students....

Cram 5 people into a prius,, rent a small room with said 5 people, and eat fast food.

We aren't talking about Hilton head or cancun here.

Most students can scrape together the few hundred dollars without using mommies credit card.

This won't kill spring break any more than covid or aids did. Kids are invincible; haven't you heard?

[rockfordfile]

64. 75 guns?

[JohnnyRingo]

67. I hear Corpus Christi is the college kid place to be now.

Florida attracts people like Florida Man now.

[spike jones]

68. My first reaction is to never believe the police, and suspect it is a false flag

to make the police look good. The article I read is the police patting themselves on the back.

[brooklynite]

69. A fresh conspiracy theory. Finally!

[Sgent]

81. This article is horrible

it conflates Miami with PCB which are 500 miles away from each other, and as far as I know, there is no emergency declaration in PCB. There maybe two, separate stories here, but this one jumbles them together.