Here's How Florida Troopers Assisted Local Law Enforcement Partners to Promote Public Safety During Spring Break

“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,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Our combined efforts reinforced Florida’s reputation for refusing to tolerate lawlessness and ensured a safe, enjoyable environment for those visiting our state.”

“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,” said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford.

“We appreciate the help of the Florida Highway Patrol in assisting our community during spring break,” said Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez. “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.”

”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 and their shared commitment to unified goals during Spring Break clearly makes a difference in delivering a coordinated and effective response,” said Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith.

“This Spring Break deployment is a direct reflection of what disciplined strategy and unified law enforcement can accomplish,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne A. Jones. “Working in close coordination with the Florida Highway Patrol and our regional partners, we executed a cohesive operational plan that drove a more than 20 percent reduction in arrests compared to last year. These results send a clear message: Miami Beach will continue to take decisive action to protect our residents, visitors, and the overall quality of life in our city.”

Historically, citations issued for driving under the influence (DUI) and open-container violations are at their highest during the month of March. This March, over 2,500 citations were issued statewide for driving under the influence.

During March, the Florida Highway Patrol intensified its spring break enforcement efforts, resulting in the following actions:

Panama City Beach

• 40 Troopers deployed
• Nearly 2,000 moving citations
• More than 1,300 warnings
• 7 DUI arrests

Miami Beach

• 20 Troopers deployed
• More than 150 moving citations
• More than 200 warnings
• 4 DUI arrests

Spring break enforcement remains active in Panama City Beach, where state and local agencies continue working together to maintain safety and order. The Florida Highway Patrol and its partners remain focused on protecting residents, supporting local communities, and ensuring that visitors can enjoy Florida’s beaches in a secure and responsible environment.

Key Points

• FHP partnered with local law enforcement for spring break safety
• Focus on DUI enforcement, traffic control, and crowd management
• Over 2,500 DUI-related citations issued statewide in March
• Panama City Beach and Miami Beach saw heavy enforcement presence
• Miami Beach reported over 20% drop in arrests
• Operations ongoing to maintain safe, orderly beach environments