What In The World Is Going On?

Atlanta week is always like this. Freaknik for rich kids.

Sounds like a riot in the beginning stages.

There is and has been a new breed of tourist that comes here. The old ones everyone loved have moved on to areas that don't allow the nonsense that is prevalent here.

We seem to be heading down the same path as PCB was a couple years ago. I hope no one has to get shot or assaulted on the beach in Sowal before we -- the whole community -- come to our senses.

Sounds like a riot in the beginning stages.

There is and has been a new breed of tourist that comes here. The old ones everyone loved have moved on to areas that don't allow the nonsense that is prevalent here.

Or moved here and now dislike visitors and whine about local government.

What in the world is going on with these kids and in many cases the parents too! Seems as the popularity of the area grows, so do the problems. The last 2 nights saw a very large presence from the Sheriff's office on the East End of 30A. Seacrest and Rosemary areas are particularly seeing problems with kids traveling in "packs". They are rude, foul mouthed, disrespectful and seem to just dare anyone to say anything to them. Tonight our sheriff's office had 5 cars at The Villages and dis-banded everyone, young and old, because of pure out of control behavior. Several businesses in the area had to close early, because of this. Not cool! Lost business is lost income for not only the business owners, but all of their employees! Notre why the management down at the hub can maintain outdoor activities, but the Villages can't. As business owners we certainly need to crack down and not tolerate the outrageous behavior of the visitors here. We certainly welcome our visitors, because without them, we wouldn't see our businesses thrive, vacation home owners would have no demand for rentals of their properties, and locals would have no employment. But my gosh, something has to give! I really am getting tired of being flipped off by a group of 12 year olds inside my own business and some of the adults aren't much better!

This sounds like a media worthy incident to report on, yet nothing on WCSO Sites or local papers, news outlets...

Wonder why?

Bottom line is you asked for it, you got it. Interesting when business owners who benefit from tourism begin to complain. The beginning of the end? We can only hope.

Or moved here and now dislike visitors and whine about local government.

Or just doesn't like to see this sort of on our local news:

Part of South Walton implements 8 pm curfew

Three big developments along 30A in South Walton are implementing an emergency curfew for the rest of this week due to problems with underage kids.

According to a representative with the homeowners association of the Villages of South Walton, effective immediately and for the next couple of nights, you'll have to be over 21 to be out on property after 8 pm at Villages of South Walton, Seacrest Beach or Rosemary Beach.

According to an email from Anita Sanders to WJHG/WECP, the 8 pm curfew comes in response to "underage drinking , large fights, unruly teens, belligerent teen with police. This week has been a nightmare."

Sanders says live music at the Peddlers Pavilion has been cancelled for Thursday and Friday nights. The Villages of South Walton will also not allow anyone on property without armbands issued by the Village after 8 pm.

This has been getting worse every year--those of us who own rental properties dread the Atlanta public school Spring Break weeks. These kids have no respect for other people, property and any kind of rules or regulations. Sad.

Bottom line is you asked for it, you got it. Interesting when business owners who benefit from tourism begin to complain. The beginning of the end? We can only hope.

I agree, enough is enough. STOP BUILDING. It`s funny how these tourons come down here to get away from the big city life, once they get here they say we don`t have this or that. Next thing you know the big city crap is here and we are now just like any place USA.

I dread next week because they'll be back!!!!! Please keep them!!!!

There were reports of teens copulating in the woods near Seaside Tennis Courts. They were unfortunately spotted by some young girls on their way to tennis.

There were reports of teens copulating in the woods near Seaside Tennis Courts. They were unfortunately spotted by some young girls on their way to tennis.

Teens copulating in Seaside started before the post office was built.

Latest today is that the night of the original incident teens "egged" WCSO Patrol Cars and actually tried to over turn one.

This is starting to sound much more serious than originally thought. Still nothing on WCSO Media or Facebook.

Locals and visitors react to 30A curfew

Parts of 30A seem like they've been taken over by hundreds of teenagers and some say they're wreaking havoc on several communities.


Now, residents and business owners are trying to find ways to keep them under control.

30A has traditionally been a family spring break destination, bringing kids of all ages. But one age group seems to be causing some issues in some of the smaller communities.

"It really started last year, we saw big groups of teenagers," Seacrest Homeowner Stuart White said.

"The mobs of kids are just gathering. It's just a little unruly for the business owners and unfortunately the police have to get involved," Peddlers Bikes & Beach Rentals Manager Ryan Kirk said.

"We hear through social media saying we're all going to gather up at one location and there would be hundreds of them. Last year saw about a thousand just wandering from one place to another and that's continued onto this year," White explained.

This week, Seacrest Beach, Rosemary Beach and the Villages of South Walton have enacted an emergency curfew hoping to disperse the large groups of young people.

Although it's only for a couple more days, resident and business owners said that this emergency curfew is necessary.

"I think the emergency curfew is a great thing. It's bad for business but it's only here another day and it's just to keep everyone safe," Kirk said.

"When you have so many people down at one time it just helps you feel like perhaps there is some control in the community," Visitor Tom Harrison said.

"We have seen or heard of some vandalism and stolen bikes happening at night and that kind of thing but I'd say those are the biggest problems," said White.

"We just can't have four, five, six hundred kids walking the streets and the police are working overtime," Kirk said.

But many of the visiting teens are not thrilled about the new rule.

"Well I thinks it's really dumb because we all paid to be here and they are making us leave and we are all here to go on the beach and they're making us leave the beach and it's just really annoying," said 15-year-old Natalie Demaria.


"I think it's too early and they are ruining everyone's spring break," voiced 15-year-old Taro Rubessa.

"I've already heard there are some kids, a lot of kids down here from our school. And I know some of the have already gotten in trouble with police actually because they have been out late on the beach," said 13-year-old Isabella Crain.

"I hope everyone comes back, just be kind, be courteous, enjoy yourselves. We live at the best place in the world down here on 30A.," said Kirk.

"It would be terrific if they could continue it every spring break," White added.

Seaside put a similar curfew in place at the beginning of spring break and said they are pleased with the outcome.

We reached out to the Walton County Sheriff's Office who said while they are aware of the curfew, they are not there to enforce it but assist the private communities however they need it.

A mass of yutes surrounded a deputy on a 4-wheeler at Seaside a few days ago during the day. They flipped him over and he ran away to call backup.

Those yutes!

I guess I'm now confused.

Are the previous two posts jokes or serious?

I was being serious in my post were its been reported that Eggs were thrown at WCSO and that the groups attempted to flip a patrol vehicle.

This in nothing to joke about. This is probably connected to a social media post encouraging this disruptive behavior in our communities, similar to the "protests" seen in other large cities.

For someone to think it funny to poke fun at a deputy being surrounding by a group of violent teens is not amusing.

IF these issues have landed in our laps, we need to know the FACTS and we need to address this.

My point is that the lack of information about this out of WCSO only fans the rumor mill flames.

Been there years ago when it took a public "shaming" of the sheriff at the SeaScape meeting called by Sarah Commander that we now have full force enforcement on the Scenic Gulf Beach areas (Majestic Sun Area).

Atlanta week is always like this. Freaknik for rich kids.

Looks like Georgia has just out done itself.

All arrested from Georgia...

"Skyler Woolcock, 18, of Stone Mountain, GA, was charged with providing false information to law enforcement; Phyllis Smith, 18, also of Stone Mountain, has been charged with possession of an alcoholic beverage under the age of 21; Tatianna Massey, 19, of Stone Mountain, GA, was charged with possession of cannabis less than 20 grams; Alicia Jones, 21, of Dekalb, GA, was charged with possession of cannabis less than 20 grams; and Kadezmeon D. Lovett, 26, of Covington, GA, has been charged with providing a false name to law enforcement."

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20...nnection-to-panama-city-beach-shooting-photos

These tourons come down here and lose their freak`n minds. Makes you wonder if they act like this at home? Probably not, if they do, shame on their parents.

These tourons come down here and lose their freak`n minds. Makes you wonder if they act like this at home? Probably not, if they do, shame on their parents.

Here's one to make mom and dad proud.

Yup, he's from Georgia....

"Snyder was on probation for a gang related offense"

Teen fugitive located in Panama City Beach

Things are definitely getting out of hand in the Watercolor/Seaside area. I've been going for spring and fall breaks for years and this year was an eye opener. Gangs of 90-100 kids filling intersections and not letting cars pass. They literally told everybody that said anything to them to F$#@ off. Every night there was a constant stream of kids up and down the street yelling profanity from dark until 1 or 2 in the morning. Several kids passed asking if we wanted any blow while I was riding with my kids. St. Joe properties, 360 Blue, the Watercolor Homeowners Association and Watercolor security all seemed to just throw their hands up telling us that they were overwhelmed and they couldn't do anything about it. The Sheriff said they were run ragged trying to work all up and down 30A and that the group from Atlanta was causing the trouble and that they were increasingly bad each year. Thankfully, I guess we've missed them each year up until now. The Sheriff also said that Watercolor was private property and they didn't patrol it and would only come when invited. I told them I was officially inviting them.

Finally, after 4 nights of calling everybody I could think of and running the kids off myself so we could get some sleep and have some peace and quiet with our families, the Sheriff came onto the scene and took control. 2 deputies had kids lined up on the street and were handing out citations and arresting kids. Things quieted down the last night or so after that. I don't fault anybody for what the Atlanta group did (other than the kids and parents from Atlanta) but I am very disappointed in the response from St Joe, 360 Blue and the Homeowners Association. They basically said they couldn't do anything and to call security. Security was a couple of guys in a black truck that were overwhelmed and scared of the mob and had no real authority anyway. The Sheriff said Watercolor won't pay them to patrol that area full-time like Seaside does so they have to be asked to come on property. Seaside had an 8pm curfew and the Sheriff had a full-time presence there and they rolled up the kids at 8 so the kids all moved into the wild west of Watercolor. The deputies told us that the kids had overturned a lifeguard's 4 wheeler into the water while he was making a rescue and that another gang of kids had grabbed all 4 legs of the lifeguard stations and shaken it to try to throw the lifeguard out. That kind of behavior is unbelievable. These were not 35 year old, hardened felons....they were teens (mostly around 13-15 according to the sheriff). Watercolor gets premium prices for their properties because of the atmosphere...it's not PCB and that is a good thing. If it is just PCB west now and everybody that has any control has resigned themselves to that, then I think this was my last trip to Watercolor or anywhere in the panhandle.

My advice is for Watercolor to see the writing on the wall and start paying the Sheriff to patrol and for the property owners, Homeowners Association and rental companies to start cracking down on this behavior with a zero tolerance. Kids should have to register with a wrist band that has their name, age, address where they are staying and their parent's phone number. If the Sheriff talks to them, all the information they need would be easily accessible and easy to keep in a database so they would know who the repeat troublemakers were, who was responsible for them and how to contact the parents. The zero tolerance amendment to the agreements should be communicated to every renter and every renter should have to acknowledge that violating the agreement would allow the rental company to end their rental immediately and the renter would forfeit the remaining rental. Rental companies would not be at risk, homeowners would have their property and the atmosphere they purchased preserved and renters would have the peaceful family vacations they paid for.

I'm more sad than angry. I truly loved taking my family to Watercolor. It's a unique atmosphere that could be (and was in previous years) incredible. Do any of you know of any place in the southeast that is like Watercolor used to be?

Note to rental property owners: Everybody's situation is different, but if you care about your community, your property, and can afford to not rent during ATL week, don't rent...

Things are definitely getting out of hand in the Watercolor/Seaside area. I've been going for spring and fall breaks for years and this year was an eye opener. Gangs of 90-100 kids filling intersections and not letting cars pass. They literally told everybody that said anything to them to F$#@ off. Every night there was a constant stream of kids up and down the street yelling profanity from dark until 1 or 2 in the morning. Several kids passed asking if we wanted any blow while I was riding with my kids. St. Joe properties, 360 Blue, the Watercolor Homeowners Association and Watercolor security all seemed to just throw their hands up telling us that they were overwhelmed and they couldn't do anything about it. The Sheriff said they were run ragged trying to work all up and down 30A and that the group from Atlanta was causing the trouble and that they were increasingly bad each year. Thankfully, I guess we've missed them each year up until now. The Sheriff also said that Watercolor was private property and they didn't patrol it and would only come when invited. I told them I was officially inviting them.

Finally, after 4 nights of calling everybody I could think of and running the kids off myself so we could get some sleep and have some peace and quiet with our families, the Sheriff came onto the scene and took control. 2 deputies had kids lined up on the street and were handing out citations and arresting kids. Things quieted down the last night or so after that. I don't fault anybody for what the Atlanta group did (other than the kids and parents from Atlanta) but I am very disappointed in the response from St Joe, 360 Blue and the Homeowners Association. They basically said they couldn't do anything and to call security. Security was a couple of guys in a black truck that were overwhelmed and scared of the mob and had no real authority anyway. The Sheriff said Watercolor won't pay them to patrol that area full-time like Seaside does so they have to be asked to come on property. Seaside had an 8pm curfew and the Sheriff had a full-time presence there and they rolled up the kids at 8 so the kids all moved into the wild west of Watercolor. The deputies told us that the kids had overturned a lifeguard's 4 wheeler into the water while he was making a rescue and that another gang of kids had grabbed all 4 legs of the lifeguard stations and shaken it to try to throw the lifeguard out. That kind of behavior is unbelievable. These were not 35 year old, hardened felons....they were teens (mostly around 13-15 according to the sheriff). Watercolor gets premium prices for their properties because of the atmosphere...it's not PCB and that is a good thing. If it is just PCB west now and everybody that has any control has resigned themselves to that, then I think this was my last trip to Watercolor or anywhere in the panhandle.

My advice is for Watercolor to see the writing on the wall and start paying the Sheriff to patrol and for the property owners, Homeowners Association and rental companies to start cracking down on this behavior with a zero tolerance. Kids should have to register with a wrist band that has their name, age, address where they are staying and their parent's phone number. If the Sheriff talks to them, all the information they need would be easily accessible and easy to keep in a database so they would know who the repeat troublemakers were, who was responsible for them and how to contact the parents. The zero tolerance amendment to the agreements should be communicated to every renter and every renter should have to acknowledge that violating the agreement would allow the rental company to end their rental immediately and the renter would forfeit the remaining rental. Rental companies would not be at risk, homeowners would have their property and the atmosphere they purchased preserved and renters would have the peaceful family vacations they paid for.

I'm more sad than angry. I truly loved taking my family to Watercolor. It's a unique atmosphere that could be (and was in previous years) incredible. Do any of you know of any place in the southeast that is like Watercolor used to be?

"The Sheriff also said that Watercolor was private property and they didn't patrol it and would only come when invited. I told them I was officially inviting them."

So our local law enforcement says they don't patrol private property? Wow.
First the Failed SOP and now this? Sounds like all citizens need to now send out an Invitation for WCSO to come visit.

How can any department be PROACTIVE in combating crime when it won't patrol? Sounds like the only way someone living on a private (non-county) road gets service is to call. That's usually after the fact and the REACTION is usually too late and bad guys are gone.

I agree that these resort communities should hire deputies, but they should be EXTRA Duty Deputies that supplement the daily Patrol Activity of the on-duty staff.

Proactive Policing is what's needed, not excuses as to why one can't do this or do that.

To be clear, the Sheriff's department was the one entity that was actively working to fix the problem. They were professional, open, honest about the issue and responded anytime we called. The limitation was that the Watercolor development was private property and therefore the deputies were limited in when they could become involved. It seemed they certainly could not be proactive.

There needs to be a brainstorming meeting among all the entities involved to come up with a plan to fix this situation. This is too nice an area to just throw up your hands and allow this to happen to your community.

"The limitation was that the Watercolor development was private property and therefore the deputies were limited in when they could become involved."

Not arguing that all developments need to be proactive. Seems like a convenient way for WCSO to pass the buck to Watercolor and blame them.

Don't owners that own homes and property in Watercolor pay taxes?

This sounds a bit like another excuse by the sheriff as he does not want to upset tourists. Same with the Wedding Houses, Private Beach SOP non-enforcement, parking tickets, etc.

90 - 100 kids blocking intersections is a traffic safety issue and these kids and their aggressive attitudes and foul mouths is Disturbing the Peace. Both enforceable by Local Law Enforcement without a special invite.

Thanks for bringing this to peoples attention Concerned Parent. It's good to see (while also unfortunate) that good visitors to our area have been effected by this and want it to be know.

For that, I thank you.

Sounds like my neighborhood pool here in Cobb County in the summer. It's definitely the parents fault. I've lived in this neighborhood for 21 years and have never experienced what has happened to our community pool in the last few years. The late 30's early 40's moms just sit around and sunbathe and yap as their out of control middle school children run around like maniacs. They've brought golf carts into the community and let the kids drive them around. Totally out of control!!!!