‘We are done with the nonsense’: Panama City Beach’s Spring Break reset

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Panama City Beach Police Department is saying “Enough is enough”. Law enforcement is putting a stop to the chaotic spring break of the past.

Last year’s spring break was especially challenging for PCBPD. Panama City Beach police chief J.R. Talamentez says spring break 2025 was “hectic and violent,” largely caused by underage visitors.

Panama City Beach ordinance 1667 shows that between March 1st and April 14, 2025, officers responded to approximately 8,189 incidents; issued 1,589 citations, made 693 adult arrests and 77 juvenile arrests, and seized 61 firearms.

Chief Talamentez says they want this year to be different. On Thursday, PCBPD held a press conference alongside several local and state agencies, including the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Bay County Commissioners, Florida Highway Patrol, and State Attorney Larry Basford. We’re told all the agencies are uniting forces this year to ensure they have all the resources they need for a safe spring break.

“We are not an environment that is welcoming to unaccompanied youth that is here to cause trouble,” said Talamantez.

The message is clear: last year’s chaotic spring break in Panama City Beach will not be repeated. This year, PCBPD is focusing on unaccompanied minors and ending gun violence.

“We are done with the nonsense,” said Talamantez.

This year, past ordinances will still be implemented, such as no alcohol on the beach during March, establishments that sell alcohol will close at 2 am, and only those 21 or older can book vacation rentals.

“Our problem is unaccompanied minors carrying high-capacity firearms that don’t care who they shoot. What you saw last year was primarily because we were caught off guard by the number of kids that showed up; that’s not going to happen this year,” said Talamantez.

March 28th through April 11th will be a high-impact period. That means there will be an 8 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors, double towing fines and parking fees, and increased crowd control.

Minors without an adult will also not be allowed at places that sell alcohol after 10 pm.

“Do not send your kids down here if you’re not coming with them, and if you’re coming with them, make sure you stay with them, cause we’re not your babysitter,” said Talamantez.

Three high-impact zones will be established for Spring Break 2026 on the west, center, and east portions of Panama City Beach. These are areas of the city that are more prone to criminal behavior.

All of Pier Park will be considered high-impact, including the shopping area and the beach in front of Pier Park Dr, the portions of Front Beach Road from Clara Avenue to Lyndell Lane, in front of the county pier, and from Richard Jackson Blvd, across South Thomas Dr, through Joan Ave.

At the press conference, Chief Talamantez was adamant in saying that so-called “PCB takeovers” won’t be tolerated.

“There’s no party, there’s no mansion party, there’s no beach party, cause there’s no permit; these are unsanctioned, unpermitted events that are fake, they’re fraud, it’s Bs,” he said.

Chief Talamantez also said they will have 100 additional police officers and more security cameras.

Minors who violate the law within the high-impact zones will be taken to a holding facility and stay there until a responsible adult picks them up.

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