Daytona Beach declares state of emergency amid spring break chaos
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A popular Florida spring break destination declared a state of emergency after several days of chaos that led to more than 100 arrests. Additionally, five shootings were reported across Volusia County during the same time period.
The City of Daytona Beach has issued a proclamation along with a 7-day nightly curfew for minors in response to several recent incidents of spring breakers wreaking havoc on the area. accordingly FOX 35.
“Daytona Beach should no longer position itself as a Spring Break destination,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young.
“This is not a ruling against tourism, but rather against unsanctioned high-risk activities that strain resources, disrupt our communities, and place unnecessary demands on public safety personnel.”
FLORIDA LAWS MOCK WEAK SPRING BREAKERS WITH NCAA-STYLE SCOREBOARD AS Arrests Increase
Police made several arrests as beachgoers gathered for spring break in Daytona Beach, Florida. (@trojan.kid via Storyful and @travdilla via Storyful)
The move was reported on social media in response to thousands of college-aged beachgoers descending on sandy shores for unauthorized beach “takeover events” hosted on social media, FOX 35 reported.
“We focus on the key area of kids who are underage, drinking, smoking weed, doing things like that, so we have the tools to get them off the street,” Young added.
Last weekend, countless spring breakers showed up to attend the unauthorized event, stretching resources and putting pressure on local officials trying to maintain order.
BAHAR BREAKERS CAUGHT ON CAMERA ATTACKING MAN IN NIGHT STREET FIGHT
According to authorities, 133 spring breakers were arrested in Volusia County, Florida, over the weekend. (@travdilla/TikTok)
In response to the chaos, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood declared several special event zones in Daytona Beach, FOX 35 reported. The move gives authorities the power to double fines and penalties, seize vehicles for up to 72 hours and impose beach occupancy limits.
Authorities made more than 130 arrests last weekend, including 84 in Daytona Beach and 49 in New Smyrna Beach.
WATCH: Florida police make arrests as large crowds gather in Daytona Beach
Chitwood also plans to sue organizers of unauthorized events promoted on social media after video of thousands of spring breakers frantically fleeing the beach went viral. Initial reports indicate that the crowd was responding to gunshots in the area.
VIDEO SHOWS SPRING BREAK CROWDS FLEEING BEACH HOT SPOT AFTER FIVE WEEKENDS OF REPORTS OF SPOTLIGHTS
People enjoy warm weather during spring break in Daytona Beach on March 27, 2023. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“We’re going to be the first district, and my lawyers are working on that right now, we’re coming after you financially,” Chitwood said at a press conference earlier this week, according to FOX 35.
“And if I could go after you criminally, I would. So don’t think you’re going to sit behind a keyboard in Georgia or Orlando or somewhere else and do these truck things and these takeovers, because it’s not going to happen. There’s a way to do business. Get permission and do things the right way.”
GOT A TIP?
Chitwood later added that no gunshots were heard on the beach and that the crowd’s panic was caused by the sound of people breaking water bottles.
Officials also said the department did not have the resources to adequately calm the chaos, although they were aware that last Saturday’s takeover was being promoted on social media.
SEE: Florida police maintain a heavy presence in Daytona Beach amid spring break chaos
GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL
“This doesn’t sound like this nation’s RSVP,” Young reportedly said. “So it’s really a guessing game as to how many people are going to show up and we’re doing our best to make sure we have the resources, but truth be told, given the number of people that are in town this weekend, I literally have 222 sworn officers.”
CLICK HERE FOR OTHER USA NEWS
“Even if I had deployed all 222 sworn officers, we were still vastly outnumbered compared to the situation we were dealing with, and some incidents like what we saw on social media would still have occurred.”
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the Daytona Beach Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
