The Florida Highway Patrol announced on Mar. 31 that it partnered with local law enforcement agencies in Miami Beach and Panama City Beach throughout the spring break season to promote public safety and ensure visitors could enjoy the beaches responsibly.
The joint effort aimed to reduce dangerous driving, prevent impaired driving, and manage large crowds during one of Florida’s busiest times for tourism. State Troopers assisted with traffic enforcement and DUI checks as part of a broader initiative to protect both residents and visitors.
Executive Director Dave Kerner said, “This year’s spring break operations showcased the strength of our partnership with local law enforcement as we worked together to curb dangerous driving, prevent impaired driving, and support crowd‑management efforts in our most popular spring break destinations. Our combined efforts reinforced Florida’s reputation for refusing to tolerate lawlessness and ensured a safe, enjoyable environment for those visiting our state.”
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said, “We appreciate our state partners with FHP, FWC and DJJ for standing firm with us to send a strong message that we will not tolerate crime and disorder in Bay County and the state of Florida.” Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez added, “We appreciate the help of the Florida Highway Patrol in assisting our community during spring break. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to ensure residents and visitors in our community can have a safe and secure spring break.”
Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith said, “The assistance provided by the Florida Highway Patrol to the Panama City and Bay County area is greatly appreciated, as it helps ensure the safety of drivers and roadways where our community and spring break visitors converge. The cooperation among agencies… clearly makes a difference in delivering a coordinated and effective response.” Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne A. Jones stated, “This Spring Break deployment is a direct reflection of what disciplined strategy and unified law enforcement can accomplish… we executed a cohesive operational plan that drove a more than 20 percent reduction in arrests compared to last year.”
According to data released by officials, March historically sees high numbers of citations for DUI or open-container violations; this March saw over 2,500 DUI citations statewide. In Panama City Beach alone, 40 troopers were deployed resulting in nearly 2,000 moving citations issued along with more than 1,300 warnings given out; seven DUI arrests were made. In Miami Beach there were twenty troopers assigned who issued more than 150 moving citations along with over two hundred warnings; four DUI arrests occurred.
Spring break enforcement remains ongoing in Panama City Beach as state troopers continue working alongside local authorities focused on maintaining order while ensuring all residents’ well-being.
