Panama City Beach Can No Longer Be A Spring Break Town, Says Police Chief

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez announced that the city can no longer sustain its reputation as a spring break destination due to escalating violence and disorder.

The declaration, posted on the department’s Facebook page on April 13, 2025, follows a chaotic season marked by multiple shootings and large, disruptive crowds.

Chief Talamantez began by commending visitors who respected the city, noting, “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.”

However, his tone shifted as he addressed troublemakers, stating, “If you came with guns, bad intentions, and no respect for this city, we saw you. You were wrong. Our officers were ready, and many of you ended up in handcuffs.”

Talamantez described incidents during Spring Break where individuals fired shots over “petty arguments and social media drama,” only to break down in tears during police interviews.

“TikTok doesn’t show that part, but our body cameras do,” he wrote. The chief added that the annual influx of unruly spring breakers has become unmanageable, posing significant risks to public safety.

“Panama City Beach can no longer be a Spring Break town. That time is over,” Talamantez declared. “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.”

He stressed that law enforcement officers should not bear the burden of an event that conflicts with the community’s family-focused values.

Talamantez announced plans for “serious discussions” with city leadership and stakeholders in the coming weeks to address the future of the spring break season. “No plan will fix this overnight, but we have to start somewhere,” he said.

The chief’s statement has garnered varied reactions among locals and visitors.

Some residents commented on the Facebook post, attributing the trouble to visitors from Atlanta, Dothan, and Ozark.

Others expressed nostalgia for the spring break culture of the 1980s and 1990s, when Panama City Beach was a vibrant destination popularized by MTV. “PCB will never be what it used to be bc our world will never be what it used to be,” one commenter wrote. Another noted, “Spring break died a long time ago there…when MTV stopped coming, that should have been a sign.”

Several locals pointed to the rise of short-term rentals as a factor exacerbating the chaos, suggesting that unregulated accommodations have contributed to the influx of disruptive visitors.

Talamantez ended his statement with a clear message: “To the good visitors, you’ll always be welcome. To the idiots, go somewhere else.”