Island cities to continue crackdown on Spring Break rowdies
Island cities to continue crackdown on Spring Break rowdies
The City of Gulf Shores, in an effort to get ahead of rowdy behavior from millennials here for spring break, will continue with its seasonal alcohol ban on public beaches from March 2 through April 14.
The City of Orange Beach Police Department also put spring break revelers on notice that theirs is not a party town and underage drinking, illegal drug use, disorderly conduct or any other breach of the peace will not be tolerated.
“If you choose to violate the law, you will go to jail. This is your only warning,’’ OBPD stated. “If you are looking for a party town, the City of Orange Beach is not it.’’
“The City of Orange Beach welcomes all guests to the City of Orange Beach for Spring Break. Our city is a beautiful, family-oriented beach resort community. During Spring Break, we traditionally experience increases in underage drinking, disorderly conduct and illegal drug use,’’ the OBPD stated. “The Orange Beach Police Department will utilize all available resources at our disposal to maintain order and continue to provide a safe, enjoyable experience for all visitors.’’
Gulf Shores’ restrictions began in 2016 in Panama City drove more spring break crowds to Pleasure Island, resulting in arrests and rowdy behavior that led the island’s two cities to implement new rules to avoid the island becoming what had become an out-of-control Panama City. Pleasure Island’s Convention & Visitors Bureau has always focused on attracting families.
For public safety reasons, Orange Beach also closed off the small Alabama Point East section of beach by the Perdido Pass bridge for spring break. That section of state beach at Perdido Pass is a popular spot for spring breakers and the closure helps address safety concerns by the Orange Beach Police Department. All other public access beaches in Orange Beach remain open, except for this very small portion by the Perdido Pass Bridge at Alabama Point East. The majority of Alabama Point East remains open as well, along with parking.
During the early part of the 2016 spring break, videos were posted of huge spring break gatherings and a Gulf Shores Police cruiser being hit with a football. In following years and police officials concluded “banning alcohol from the beach proved to be positive, including slight upticks in tax revenues during the respective time period year over year.”
Orange Beach Spring No-No’s
• Sleep in your car or on the beach or have glass containers on