By Ed Offley
Police Chief J.R. Talamantez was blunt: “If you are committing crimes, you are going to be held accountable.”
As 2025 Spring Break got underway last month, Panama City Beach officials were gearing up for the massive influx of college students with a set of regulations aimed at thwarting unlawful behavior and spontaneous mass gatherings that pose a potential for violence.
Their goal is to prevent a repeat of the widespread chaos that engulfed the city during Spring Break three years ago that was sparked by an out-of-state social media campaign calling for a “Panamaniac” invasion of the Beach. The unsanctioned event attracted several thousand young people, and the city was rocked over a 48-hour period by scores of criminal incidents ranging from mass looting to public drug dealing and assaults.
Talamantez announced on March 17 that the city was activating one of its toughest Spring Break restrictions, clearly marked “Special Event Zones” in two sections of Panama City Beach that have experienced disorderly conduct in recent years.
As authorized under Florida law, within the zones local law enforcement officials may impose double penalties for traffic violations; impound vehicles in traffic infractions at owner’s cost, and charge the organizer of any unpermitted special event for expenses the city incurs related to law enforcement, fire rescue services and medical responses.
The two “Special Event Zones” are (1) the area north of the Russell-Fields City Pier, including Pier Park and North Pier Park, and (2) a swath of the tourist district generally between Richard Jackson Boulevard on the west, and Joan Avenue on the east, running inland from South Thomas Drive to Panama City Beach Parkway. The zones were ordered to be in effect during March 20-25.
The areas are clearly marked with notification signs on all streets along their perimeters.
In addition, the city and Bay County activated their annual seasonal Spring Break restrictions effective March 14 that will remain in effect until April 30. These include:
* Banning alcohol on the sandy beach (both in the city and unincorporated Bay County);
* No alcohol sales after 2 a.m.;
* No consuming alcohol in parking lots
Officials also closed two portions of the sandy beach between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. to prevent “flash mob” events along the waterfront. One area is located between Beach Access 25 and Beach Access 36. The second area encompasses the Russell-Fields City Pier, with the beach closed between Beach Access 85 to the east side of Calypso Beach Resort.
Talamantez told PCB Life he is confident the “Special Event Zones” and seasonal beach ruled will have “a meaningful impact” in reducing unlawful behavior. “These measures create clear expectations for visitors, allowing law enforcement to take proactive steps in addressing violations before they escalate,” he said.
While saying it was still too early to discuss specific crime statistics at the end of March, Talamantez said that “initial reports suggest that the enhanced enforcement strategies, including the special event zones and beach rules, are having a positive impact.”
