As reported by WZEP AM 1460:
It was an open house party that was shut down when deputies found underage drinking while investigating complaints of loud music and litter. After responding to numerous complaints, over 30 individuals were arrested in Miramar Beach Monday afternoon for Open House Party. Over a 48 hour period, approximately 153 individuals have been arrested in Walton County as the Sheriff’s Office works zero tolerance with spring breakers. Most all are from out of state.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office Major A. J. Smith says they were receiving complaints from full time residents, and a lady at the south substation told deputies what was going on. Smith says they looked into the situation and found there were a number of complaints. He says the Sheriff’s Office already has an intense spring break effort, trying to prevent tragedies like the recent death in Panama City.
Major Smith and Captain Howell were out during the rainy Monday afternoon and went to the home with complaints. He says as they came to the house, from the patrol vehicle they could see what appeared to be underage drinking. He says there were people in the pool, the door was open, people were hanging on porches. The deputies asked for the persons renting the home in south Walton. As they were at the home they could see into the house through an open door. He reports they saw hundreds of beer cans and many underage aged people drinking. When they saw the deputies, about 80 to 85 young people tried to go out the back door. The two stopped them and found they were under age, most 18 and 19. Smith says they also noticed trash on the breach and made arrests for littering. They contacted the person who rented the home and made a charge of an open house party and allowing under aged persons to drink.
Major Smith says this hopefully prevented tragedy. He also says the effort helps send a message to visitors to, “Come and enjoy our beautiful county, but do not abuse the community.” Major Smith says the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is using a zero tolerance when it comes to spring breakers. He says the message is, “This is our home, please treat it like it is your home.”
Major Smith also credits the work of the deputies and staff of the Sheriff’s Office. He asks the local community to continue to support them as they are working hard, are committed, work in terrible weather, all because they care about the safety of the community, residents and guests alike.
It was an open house party that was shut down when deputies found underage drinking while investigating complaints of loud music and litter. After responding to numerous complaints, over 30 individuals were arrested in Miramar Beach Monday afternoon for Open House Party. Over a 48 hour period, approximately 153 individuals have been arrested in Walton County as the Sheriff’s Office works zero tolerance with spring breakers. Most all are from out of state.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office Major A. J. Smith says they were receiving complaints from full time residents, and a lady at the south substation told deputies what was going on. Smith says they looked into the situation and found there were a number of complaints. He says the Sheriff’s Office already has an intense spring break effort, trying to prevent tragedies like the recent death in Panama City.
Major Smith and Captain Howell were out during the rainy Monday afternoon and went to the home with complaints. He says as they came to the house, from the patrol vehicle they could see what appeared to be underage drinking. He says there were people in the pool, the door was open, people were hanging on porches. The deputies asked for the persons renting the home in south Walton. As they were at the home they could see into the house through an open door. He reports they saw hundreds of beer cans and many underage aged people drinking. When they saw the deputies, about 80 to 85 young people tried to go out the back door. The two stopped them and found they were under age, most 18 and 19. Smith says they also noticed trash on the breach and made arrests for littering. They contacted the person who rented the home and made a charge of an open house party and allowing under aged persons to drink.
Major Smith says this hopefully prevented tragedy. He also says the effort helps send a message to visitors to, “Come and enjoy our beautiful county, but do not abuse the community.” Major Smith says the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is using a zero tolerance when it comes to spring breakers. He says the message is, “This is our home, please treat it like it is your home.”
Major Smith also credits the work of the deputies and staff of the Sheriff’s Office. He asks the local community to continue to support them as they are working hard, are committed, work in terrible weather, all because they care about the safety of the community, residents and guests alike.
