From the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Spring Break seems to bring a wide-ranging combination of emotions to residents of Okaloosa County. However, there’s no getting past the fact that our beaches continue to be a major Spring Break hot spot for college and high school students, families and locals. The influx brings an economic boost to local businesses, but also the stereotypical crowded beaches and roadways.
Reservation numbers for the 2023 Spring Break season appear to indicate Spring Break activity will meet or surpass 2022 levels. Okaloosa County focuses on attracting families during the two-month period but is also a popular spot for high school and college Spring Breakers.
In an effort to ensure visitors enjoy our area in a safe, respectful, and lawful manner, we have a plan that includes multiple public safety goals and objectives each Spring Break. That plan begins with designated units monitoring beach and vacation rental areas for unlawful activities and using proactive patrol methods to detect and apprehend anyone involved in criminal activity – which can range from underage possession of alcohol to open house parties, or possession of controlled substances, to violations of Okaloosa County and City of Destin ordinances.
Another top priority is to assist Okaloosa County and City of Destin lifeguards with the prevention of drowning incidents.
During the 58 days of Spring Break in 2022, 659 Notices to Appear (NTA) were issued for violation of Underage Possession of Alcohol. The 659 issued NTA’s during Spring Break 2022 was the second highest number (700 in 2021) of underage possession of alcohol arrests during Spring Break in the history of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Those arrests in 2022, consisted of 573 adults and 86 juveniles. 502 took place in Destin, 153 on Okaloosa Island, and 4 were other locations in Okaloosa County.
456 were College students, 144 were in High School, and 59 were not in school.
This protocol will continue in 2023: If caught with alcohol, juveniles ages 17 and under will be issued a notice to appear and released to an adult. Individuals 18, 19 or 20 years of age in possession of an alcoholic beverage will be arrested and given a notice to appear before a judge.
Our public safety efforts are part of a partnership with the Tourist Development Council, the City of Destin and other first responder partners to include Fire, EMS, Florida Fish and Wildlife and the Florida Highway Patrol. This year a dedicated dispatcher will be used to assist with our Spring Break details as well.
Property owners and managers also play a big role. We recommend they take preventative safety measures as well. Good strategies are to have your security disperse larger groups loitering on your property before the situation gets out of hand, monitor for law violations and report those promptly, evict guests who won’t comply with the rules and, of course, contact us with any questions.
“Despite the influx of a younger crowd, our Spring Break beaches are often primarily packed with families,” said Sheriff Eric Aden. “We want to see everyone who pays a visit have a SAFE, fun-filled vacation. That means respect others, be courteous and follow the laws. The majority of our Spring Breakers do just that, but for those who cross the line, there will be repercussions. We hope everyone makes safety the top priority.”
