NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Upwards of a thousand spring breakers have been taking over New Smyrna Beach for several days and police said they are cracking down on unruly behavior. News 6 rode along with police Chief Eric Feldman to see firsthand how they are tackling the crowds this year.
“We’re applying constant pressure to the spring breakers so that they know we are here,” he said.
Even Monday’s cloudy, rainy day did not stop the crowds from hitting Flagler Avenue or the beach.
“Our folks are working 12-hour shifts and many of them are working for up to two weeks straight without a day off,” Feldman said.
Feldman took us down Flagler Avenue where police were posted on every corner and then down the beach where police and sheriff’s deputies were every few feet on foot and parked.
The law enforcement command post was set up at the end of Flagler Avenue with cameras watching from all angles. Feldman said they have already caught dozens of instances of unruly behavior just days into the peak of spring break.
“Three guns confiscated, over 360 traffic citations written, we’ve had over 20 arrests on what I call the hardtop so in the city and I believe the beach has had over 100 arrests on the beach,” Feldman said.
Feldman said all three guns were brought in by drug dealers and that’s where their undercover teams really come in play.
“Those are your officers that are not driving marked police cars, they’re not necessarily wearing uniforms, we have a bunch of K9s and what we’re looking for are the people that are coming into town to prey on the kids,” he said.
Feldman said over the last two years, they’ve seen a major growth in people bringing bad business to the beach and unruly teenagers.
Like many Florida cities, they are showing less tolerance this year with the hope of making it safer for those behaving.
“I still think a lot of the kids who come here are perfectly fine, they’re coming here to hang out with their high school friends and go to the beach but unfortunately there are those kids that ruin it for everybody,” Feldman said.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: