Gorgeous Florida beach city permanently BANS spring break after latest festivities descended into violence

Florida officials have called for the end of spring break on Panama City Beach following weeks of violence and carnage brought by partygoers. 

Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez declared that the waterfront citys time as a spring break destination is over on Sunday.

Panama City Beach can no longer be a Spring Break town. That time is over. Every year we try to manage it, and every year it brings more challenges, Talamantez said.

Im not willing to risk the safety of our city to hold onto something that no longer works.

There were multiple shootings and disorderly crowds at the gorgeous Florida Panhandle beach this season, reported Panama City News Herald.

Police said they seized firearms and illegal drugs from individuals within those rowdy crowds, according to WJHG.

Talamantez condemned those bad actors and vowed to work with other officials to find a way to permanently ban spring break.

If you came with guns, bad intentions, and no respect for this city, we saw you. You thought you could blend in and get away with it. You were wrong. Our officers were ready, and many of you ended up in handcuffs, he said

Panama City Beach (pictured) officials have declared that the citys time as a spring break destination is over

There were multiple shootings and disorderly crowds at the gorgeous Florida Panhandle beach this season

Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez (pictured) said the waterfront citys time as a Spring Break hotspot is over

Some of you fired shots over petty arguments and social media drama. And when the cuffs went on, the tough act disappeared. Our officers didnt see hardened criminals. They saw scared kids crying in the interview room. TikTok doesnt show that part, but our body cameras do.

In the coming weeks, we will be having serious discussions with stakeholders and city leadership about the future of the Spring Break season. 

Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford joined Talamantez in calling for action to be done to end the violence.

Spring break still draws some visitors with bad intentions—folks bringing guns, starting fights, or disrupting our community, Ford said.

Were committed to deterring this behavior and ensuring everyone feels secure. In the coming weeks, well need open discussion and honest debate with residents, business owners, and community leaders to sharpen our strategies.

Panama City Beach Mayor Stuart Tettemer told the local news outlet his administration is fully committed to making Panama City Beach as safe as it can be for the people who live here and those who visit.

I support our law enforcement and am working with those who care about keeping the beach safe and strong.

Panama City Beach appears to be on track to crack down on spring breakers like Miami Beach did.

Police said they seized firearms and illegal drugs from individuals within those rowdy crowds

Talamantez condemned those bad actors and vowed to work with other officials to find a way to permanently ban spring break

As Miami Beach Police continued to crack down on stringent rules, enforcing a hefty $100 parking fee, midnight curfews, security checkpoints, DUI enforcement and a bolstered police force, many decided to take the party elsewhere. 

Gregory Turovsky, 24, of TripleTGetaways, a student-organized travel agency based in Florida, said many of his clients are looking towards other warm, coastal destinations for 2025 Spring Break.

Miami will always be a popular destination, however, for Spring Break, the city of Miami and the Miami Beach Police Department are cracking down, installing harsher penalties, curfews and DUI checkpoints, all aimed at trying to curb rowdy Spring Break behavior, Turovsky told the DailyMail.com.

They are doing a lot of work to deter Spring Breakers because in past years celebrations have unfortunately caused property damage and even worse, people have gotten hurt and even killed in the past.

He recommended partygoers looking to stay in Florida to visit Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale - just 30 miles from Miami.