NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – New Smyrna Beach police are implementing a “special event zone” ordinance for a “senior skip day” planned for the beach on Thursday.
The zone will enforce stricter penalties for rule breakers within the designated area.
As visitors cross the bridges to the beachside in New Smyrna, they will be greeted with signs warning them of the special event zone. This area extends from Bouchelle Island to Third Avenue, up to Beachway Avenue, and back down Peninsula Avenue. Within this zone, traffic fines are doubled, cars can be impounded, and occupancy limits are enforced.
“We hope all goes well; there’s been some problems the past few years,” said Jamie Oberst at Dolly’s Gifts on Flagler Avenue.
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On Presidents’ Day last month, teens took over the beach and Flagler Avenue, leading to the arrest of two teens for gun-related incidents. Law enforcement is determined to prevent similar issues.
“I feel like the city is trying to work that out, and with the police presence, it seems to be a little more helpful,” Oberst said.
The special event zone is specifically for Thursday’s senior skip day, as state law allows it only for unsanctioned events that are typically promoted on social media. However, a strong police presence will continue for spring break, starting Friday.
Flagler Avenue’s city parking lot will be transformed into a command center, and a juvenile curfew will be in effect.
“It’s New Smyrna Beach, best beach around, so you have to expect it to be busy,” said Terry Bartley, manager at The Breakers. “We can only do so much — the town’s only so big.”
Bartley noted that while teens don’t spend much money at local businesses, the arrival of spring break signals the start of the lucrative season.
“Once we get through this next ten days, then we’ll be fine,” he said.