According to the town’s top law enforcement official, Florida’s popular spring break destinations host groups of college students every year.
“Panama City Beach can no longer be a spring break town,” Panama City Police Chief Jr Talamantez said on Sunday's Facebook page. “That time is over. Every year we try to manage it, and every year it brings more challenges. I'm not willing to risk putting the safety of the city at risk of insisting on something no longer effective.”
Taramantes said police will have a “serious discussion” with stakeholders in city leadership positions in the coming weeks “on the future of spring break season.”
College students on spring break at Panama City Beach, Florida March 12, 2025. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)
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“And I want to be clear that our law enforcement officers should not expect to bear the burden of events that no longer align with the values or vision of this community,” he said. “It is unfair to continue to put that weight on the back of men and women serving and protecting the city every day.”
In the post, Talamantez thanks those who did not cause trouble when visiting the town.
“You’ll be grateful for the doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers and leaders of the future,” he said. “You’ve left memories, loved the beach and showed respect. Most of you come home without any problems, and that’s what it should be.”
College students walk on Panama city beach during spring vacation on March 11, 2025. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)
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However, he has harsh words to troublemakers.
“If you carry a gun, bad intentions, no respect for the city, we see you. You think you can merge and get rid of it.” “You're wrong. Our officers are ready and many of you end up wearing handcuffs.”
“Some of you fired guns on small arguments and social media TV shows. The tough move disappeared as the cuffs continued. Our officers didn't see the hard criminals of criminals. They saw frightened kids crying in the interview room. Tiktok didn't show that part, but our body cameras did.”
The city has long been a hot spot for college students looking to catch the sun in March and April, but it has also encountered troubles from thousands of tourists.
Visitors flock to the public beaches of Panama City Beach, Florida. (Nathan Cobb/News Herald/US News Today Network)
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For several years, the police department has used various strategies to stop spring break crime.
In 2023, police deployed K-9 to combat drug use and rely on surveillance cameras to try to control revelers.
In 2022, during the spring break incident, police arrested more than 160 people when hundreds of people abandoned Walmart. They caught only 75 shots from the case.
“The crowds have been here this weekend, and there is no word to describe how they behave, to do their own actions and the number of laws they violated,” Taramantes said at the time.
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That same year, Spring Breakers were so noisy that police closed two miles of city streets.
Fox News Digital contacts Panama City Beach Police Department.
