Panama City Beach City Council votes to temporarily close portion of beach overnight
PANAMA CITY BEACH − A portion of the beach will once again be closed overnight this spring.
Panama City Beach Council members on Thursday unanimously approved an ordinance to temporarily close a portion of sandy beach from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. that spans from about Churchwell Drive to Shark Lane. The closure will begin March 10 and last until April 30.
The council approved a similar ordinance last year to help prevent "pop-up events," or unsanctioned gatherings that can be difficult for law enforcement officials to contain.
"This is consistent with what we've done in previous years in regards to helping us control spring break activity," Chief J.R. Talamantez of the Panama City Beach Police Department said. "That specific area of the beach that we're requesting to be closed has very few beach accesses with several large resorts and public parking that people utilize to walk down to the beach.
"It does become problematic. Closing the beach does allow our officers to focus our resources in other areas of the beach and keeps the community safe."
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Pop-up events have attracted hundreds of people to that area of the beach at a given time. Many were younger tourists staying in surrounding condos.
In a press conference earlier this month, Talamantez and other local law enforcement officials said they anticipate spring break crowds will be heaviest in Panama City Beach from March 10 to April 10, with the peak time being the last week of March.
On March 26-27 of last year, more than 160 people were arrested throughout Bay County in connection to "Panamaniac," a chaotic, unsanctioned event that became popular on social media and attracted waves of unruly tourists to the PCB area. Those arrested racked up almost 260 combined charges, of which more than 70 involved drugs, 60 involved guns and 15 involved alcohol.
Law enforcement officials said they are aware of flyers circulating on the internet for similar events this year.
"All the feedback we get from the property management companies (is that) they really enjoy having that area of the beach closed during that specific time because it helps," Talamantez said.
Officials noted during Thursday's meeting it is important for people to understand the approved ordinance only temporarily closes a specific portion of the coast, not all of the beach within the city's limits.
According to the meeting's agenda, violators can be fined up to $500.
"Over the past few years we've done this, it's worked out great, but I have had a few calls from people thinking that the whole beach was closed at night," Councilman Paul Casto said. "I think we really need to be specific. We're just talking about (that area)."
"Getting that word out ... (is) very, very important so we can make sure everyone knows exactly the location that we're talking about," Mayor Mark Sheldon said.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach to close part of beach overnight during Spring Break
