KY Travelers FYI, “Panama City Beach Can No Longer Be A Spring Break Town.”

If you pick a random person on the street here in Owensboro and ask where they are going for Spring Break, chances are, they will say Panama City Beach, Florida.  Ever since I can remember, it has been the place to visit and relax each Spring. A reward for reaching the end of winter in Kentucky.

However, things were a little different down on the Pier this year. Hopefully, you read about it on the news instead of experiencing events in person, but there were some dangerous situations involving shootings and chaotic crowds. In case you missed it, here is an update of one of the scenarios that occurred.

If you want an update on other events that have occurred in the past month, you can click here for a press conference from the PCB Police Department. 

After the wild partying of the 1990s and early 2000s era, local law enforcement over the past 10-15 years has made it clear that they do not play.  They've found that impulsive teenagers are the ones causing trouble. Spring Break protocols were enacted to keep the community safe, including special event zones and increased police presence.

In the press conference, you learn that this year has brought a noticeable increase in gun violence. "Every year brings its own challenges. -- We haven't had this many shootings in quite some time." Officers are working overtime to help keep the peace, and it just can't continue.

In a letter posted on Facebook, the Panama City Beach, Florida, Chief of Police J.R. Talamantez shared a powerful message.

Let me start by thanking those who did things the right way.

To the future doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and leaders who came here for a break, you’re appreciated. You made memories, enjoyed the beach, and showed respect. Most of you went home without problems, and that’s exactly how it should be.

Now to the others, the ones who came here to bring trouble.

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.

Some of you fired shots over petty arguments and social media drama. And when the cuffs went on, the tough act disappeared. Our officers didn’t see hardened criminals. They saw scared kids crying in the interview room. TikTok doesn’t show that part, but our body cameras do.

To our community—here’s where I stand.

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

And let me be clear, our law enforcement officers should not be expected to shoulder the burden of an event that no longer aligns with the values or vision of this community. It’s unfair to continue placing that weight on the backs of the men and women who serve and protect this city every day.

In the coming weeks, we will be having serious discussions with stakeholders and city leadership about the future of the Spring Break season. I’m confident they share this same concern. No plan will fix this overnight, but we have to start somewhere. And we have to start now.

Panama City Beach is a safe, family-focused community. We’ve worked too hard to build that, and I won’t let a group of criminals destroy it.

To the good visitors, you’ll always be welcome.

To the idiots, go somewhere else.

Chief J.R. Talamantez

Semper Fi

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