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Kurt

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Pre-Spring Break Meeting with Walton County Sheriff's Office by Florida Alliance for Vacation Rentals

[HEADING=2]Date and Time       [/HEADING]
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US & Canada) (UTC-05:00)
    
[HEADING=2]About this event           [/HEADING]
As part of our desire to work together to make Walton County the best and safest county in Florida we would like to see your attendance at this meeting so we can communicate our goals and strategic plans during the six weeks of Spring Break.

The objective of this annual meeting is to enhance your understanding of how key county Agency's, Walton County Sheriff's Office, Code Enforcement and South Walton Fire are working together to ensure public safety and a commitment to serving our neighborhoods and communities. 

Our desire not only is to educate but also listen to you on how we can all work together to improve the quality of life for our homeowners while providing a safe and joyful experience for our guest/vacationers. We aim to build upon previous years' experiences and continuously improve our coordinated efforts.

Anticipated Agenda:
Schools and Cities Spring Break Schedules
WCSO Manpower and Extra Duty Plan
Beach Access, Trespassing and Customary Use
Managing Loud Music and Hose Parties
Crime Prevention Strategies:
 Rack Cards / Digital
Potential Spring Break Homes
CPTED evaluations
South Walton Fire
Beach Lifeguards / Safety
Code Enforcement / Vendor Issues
Collaboration and Feedback

CAM / Community input and suggestions

RENTAL Companies' input and suggestions

Learn more here: [URL="https://www.facebook.com/share/1BUBBtG8Ho/"]Pre-Spring Break Meeting with Walton County Sheriff's Office[/URL]

Pre-Spring Break Meeting with Walton County Sheriff&#039;s Office by Florida Alliance for Vacation Rentals 
 
<h3 class="bbHeading"><a class="u-anchorTarget" name="-date-and-time"></a>Date and Time&#8203;<a class="hoverLink" href="#-date-and-time" title="Permanent link"></a></h3>Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US &amp; Canada) (UTC-05:00) 
 
<h3 class="bbHeading"><a class="u-anchorTarget" name="-about-this-event"></a>About this event&#8203;<a class="hoverLink" href="#-about-this-event" title="Permanent link"></a></h3>As part of our desire to work together to make Walton County the best and safest county in Florida we would like to see your attendance at this meeting so we can communicate our goals and strategic plans during the six weeks of Spring Break. 
 
The objective of this annual meeting is to enhance your understanding of how key county Agency&#039;s, Walton County Sheriff&#039;s Office, Code Enforcement and South Walton Fire are working together to ensure public safety and a commitment to serving our neighborhoods and communities. 
 
Our desire not only is to educate but also listen to you on how we can all work together to improve the quality of life for our homeowners while providing a safe and joyful experience for our guest/vacationers. We aim to build upon previous years&#039; experiences and continuously improve our coordinated efforts. 
 
Anticipated Agenda: 
Schools and Cities Spring Break Schedules 
WCSO Manpower and Extra Duty Plan 
Beach Access, Trespassing and Customary Use 
Managing Loud Music and Hose Parties 
Crime Prevention Strategies: 
 Rack Cards / Digital 
Potential Spring Break Homes 
CPTED evaluations 
South Walton Fire 
Beach Lifeguards / Safety 
Code Enforcement / Vendor Issues 
Collaboration and Feedback 
 
CAM / Community input and suggestions 
 
RENTAL Companies&#039; input and suggestions 
 
Learn more here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1BUBBtG8Ho/" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">Pre-Spring Break Meeting with Walton County Sheriff&#039;s Office</a>

Dawn

Beach Fanatic

Hard to believe it is almost here already! :eek:

Hard to believe it is almost here already! 😱

Teresa

SoWal Guide

Watercolor Florida 

SPRING BREAK CURFEW ANNOUNCEMENT

We endeavor to create an environment that is welcoming, safe, and memorable for everyone who chooses to vacation with us in WaterColor. As spring break approaches, WaterColor's curfew will be at 7:00 PM for unaccompanied minors (under the age of 18 and without parental supervision). Unaccompanied minors must wear their WaterColor wristbands at all times when in the property's common areas.

WaterColor's decision to adjust its regular curfew was made in coordination with other 30A communities and the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Spring break is March 3rd - April 25th.

Parents, we get only so many spring breaks with our children. Spend this one with yours. We hope that you enjoy this spring break together, as a family, in WaterColor.

[ATTACH type="full"]108110[/ATTACH]

Watercolor Florida 
 
SPRING BREAK CURFEW ANNOUNCEMENT 
 
We endeavor to create an environment that is welcoming, safe, and memorable for everyone who chooses to vacation with us in WaterColor. As spring break approaches, WaterColor&#039;s curfew will be at 7:00 PM for unaccompanied minors (under the age of 18 and without parental supervision). Unaccompanied minors must wear their WaterColor wristbands at all times when in the property&#039;s common areas. 
 
WaterColor&#039;s decision to adjust its regular curfew was made in coordination with other 30A communities and the Walton County Sheriff&#039;s Office. Spring break is March 3rd - April 25th. 
 
Parents, we get only so many spring breaks with our children. Spend this one with yours. We hope that you enjoy this spring break together, as a family, in WaterColor. 
 
<img src="https://sowal.com/forum/attachments/108110/" alt="FB_IMG_1740318459703.jpg" />

Seaside Florida announces curfew 

As we welcome the Spring Break season in SEASIDE®, we want to take a moment to celebrate what makes our community so special: our commitment to family values and the welcoming atmosphere we extend to all who visit. We are honored that so many families choose Seaside as their Spring Break destination, and we deeply appreciate that tradition.

We want to reiterate our stance on unaccompanied minors to maintain the family-friendly environment that makes Seaside such a cherished place. Seaside is designed for families to come together and create lasting memories, and we are committed to preserving that experience.

SEASIDE® will enforce a 7:00 PM CST curfew for unaccompanied minors (18 and under) without parental supervision from March 1 through April 25. We kindly ask that parents and guardians accompany their children during their visit. While we understand the excitement of independence, Seaside is best experienced as a family, exploring our beautiful beaches, enjoying our locally owned shops and restaurants, and making memories that last a lifetime.

Seaside Florida announces curfew 
 
As we welcome the Spring Break season in SEASIDE®, we want to take a moment to celebrate what makes our community so special: our commitment to family values and the welcoming atmosphere we extend to all who visit. We are honored that so many families choose Seaside as their Spring Break destination, and we deeply appreciate that tradition. 
 
We want to reiterate our stance on unaccompanied minors to maintain the family-friendly environment that makes Seaside such a cherished place. Seaside is designed for families to come together and create lasting memories, and we are committed to preserving that experience. 
 
SEASIDE® will enforce a 7:00 PM CST curfew for unaccompanied minors (18 and under) without parental supervision from March 1 through April 25. We kindly ask that parents and guardians accompany their children during their visit. While we understand the excitement of independence, Seaside is best experienced as a family, exploring our beautiful beaches, enjoying our locally owned shops and restaurants, and making memories that last a lifetime.

Beach Lover

So the last few years when curfew hit Seaside the yutes moved down the beach to the edge of town on Seagrove beach and partied all night or got arrested. Should be interesting to see what happens this year.

Got any webcams over there?

So the last few years when curfew hit Seaside the yutes moved down the beach to the edge of town on Seagrove beach and partied all night or got arrested. Should be interesting to see what happens this year. 
 
Got any webcams over there?

City of Panama City Beach 

IMPORTANT REMINDER! Today is March 1, 2025 - the date that officially kicks off the #SpringBreak season here in #PCB! Please remember (and help us spread the word) that alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the Sandy Gulf Beach during the entire month of March! Let's all #SpringBreakSmart and have a safe and enjoyable time out on that beautiful beach! [URL]https://bit.ly/springbreaksmart[/URL]

FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS FOR MORE!

[ATTACH type="full"]108193[/ATTACH]

City of Panama City Beach 
 
IMPORTANT REMINDER! Today is March 1, 2025 - the date that officially kicks off the #SpringBreak season here in #PCB! Please remember (and help us spread the word) that alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the Sandy Gulf Beach during the entire month of March! Let&#039;s all #SpringBreakSmart and have a safe and enjoyable time out on that beautiful beach! <a href="https://bit.ly/springbreaksmart" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">https://bit.ly/springbreaksmart</a> 
 
FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS FOR MORE! 
 
<img src="https://sowal.com/forum/attachments/108193/" alt="FB_IMG_1741183203234.jpg" />

James Bentwood

I hear that rental bookings are down this year. Except maybe not at the resorts and towns with plenty of beach. The implication being rentals are getting squeezed by the private beach issue. Anyone else?

m.cobalt

Beach Crab

[QUOTE="James Bentwood, post: 969442, member: 16260"]
I hear that rental bookings are down this year. Except maybe not at the resorts and towns with plenty of beach. The implication being rentals are getting squeezed by the private beach issue. Anyone else?
[/QUOTE]
I've noticed fewer vacationers this year in Watercolor for sure. I don't have any actual numbers, just an observation.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="James Bentwood">I hear that rental bookings are down this year. Except maybe not at the resorts and towns with plenty of beach. The implication being rentals are getting squeezed by the private beach issue. Anyone else?</blockquote>I&#039;ve noticed fewer vacationers this year in Watercolor for sure. I don&#039;t have any actual numbers, just an observation.

[QUOTE="m.cobalt, post: 969464, member: 42295"]
I've noticed fewer vacationers this year in Watercolor for sure. I don't have any actual numbers, just an observation.
[/QUOTE]
It seems like when watercolor is full they need more Beach. Although I know some people like to be around a lot of people when they're on vacation especially if they have kids.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="m.cobalt">I&#039;ve noticed fewer vacationers this year in Watercolor for sure. I don&#039;t have any actual numbers, just an observation.</blockquote>It seems like when watercolor is full they need more Beach. Although I know some people like to be around a lot of people when they&#039;re on vacation especially if they have kids.

30A Rampage

I find it interesting that us residents in Rosemary Beach pay so much money to live here, only for these unsupervised teenagers to overrun downtown, vandalize, and steal everything in sight.

These parents need to be parents. I am not sure why this is the case, but the police need to do something. This is getting ridiculous. I have started to go to restaurants and enjoy nightlife outside of Rosemary due to this issue.

Curious if anybody else has noticed this growing issue or am I just crazy?

I find it interesting that us residents in Rosemary Beach pay so much money to live here, only for these unsupervised teenagers to overrun downtown, vandalize, and steal everything in sight. 
 
These parents need to be parents. I am not sure why this is the case, but the police need to do something. This is getting ridiculous. I have started to go to restaurants and enjoy nightlife outside of Rosemary due to this issue. 
 
Curious if anybody else has noticed this growing issue or am I just crazy?

windowscrubber

navigate30a

[QUOTE="James Bentwood, post: 969442, member: 16260"]
I hear that rental bookings are down this year. Except maybe not at the resorts and towns with plenty of beach. The implication being rentals are getting squeezed by the private beach issue. Anyone else?
[/QUOTE]
I can tell you, with certainty, that rentals are down. Especially in Seagrove & Seacrest where the public (& even deeded) accesses are feeling the sting. We’ll feel the ripple effects of this landmark stupidity for years to come.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="James Bentwood">I hear that rental bookings are down this year. Except maybe not at the resorts and towns with plenty of beach. The implication being rentals are getting squeezed by the private beach issue. Anyone else?</blockquote>I can tell you, with certainty, that rentals are down. Especially in Seagrove &amp; Seacrest where the public (&amp; even deeded) accesses are feeling the sting. We’ll feel the ripple effects of this landmark stupidity for years to come.

leeboy

Rental properties are in trouble. This isn't a vague feeling; it's a tangible trend. South walton and 30A communities, known for their previously accessible beaches, are now bearing the brunt of restrictive access policies. Everyone is feeling it.

The ripple effects of the implementation of these restrictive beach access rules—will likely reverberate throughout the local economy forever if not reversed. This isn't just about inconvenienced tourists; it's about a fundamental shift in the area's appeal.

Here's why this is so concerning:

    Decreased Tourist Traffic:
        People choose beach destinations for their accessibility. When that's compromised, they look elsewhere. This leads to fewer bookings, shorter stays, and a decline in overall tourism revenue.

    Impact on Local Businesses:
        Restaurants, shops, and other businesses that rely on tourist dollars will see a decline in sales. This can lead to job losses and even closures, creating a domino effect throughout the community.

    Property Value Concerns:
        The appeal of beachfront rentals directly influences property values. If rental income drops, so might the value of these properties, affecting homeowners and the local tax base.

    Reputational Damage:
        Word-of-mouth travels fast. Negative experiences with beach access can tarnish the area's reputation as a desirable vacation spot, making it harder to attract tourists in the future.

    Community Division:
        The people that own rentals, and the people that visit those rentals are going to have a growing resentment toward the local government. This can cause long term problems with community relations.

Essentially, this isn't a short-term blip. It's a fundamental change that could have long-lasting economic and social consequences. The short sightedness of the people that caused these changes is going to hurt the area for a long time.

Rental properties are in trouble. This isn&#039;t a vague feeling; it&#039;s a tangible trend. South walton and 30A communities, known for their previously accessible beaches, are now bearing the brunt of restrictive access policies. Everyone is feeling it. 
 
The ripple effects of the implementation of these restrictive beach access rules—will likely reverberate throughout the local economy forever if not reversed. This isn&#039;t just about inconvenienced tourists; it&#039;s about a fundamental shift in the area&#039;s appeal. 
 
Here&#039;s why this is so concerning: 
 
 Decreased Tourist Traffic: 
 People choose beach destinations for their accessibility. When that&#039;s compromised, they look elsewhere. This leads to fewer bookings, shorter stays, and a decline in overall tourism revenue. 
 
 Impact on Local Businesses: 
 Restaurants, shops, and other businesses that rely on tourist dollars will see a decline in sales. This can lead to job losses and even closures, creating a domino effect throughout the community. 
 
 Property Value Concerns: 
 The appeal of beachfront rentals directly influences property values. If rental income drops, so might the value of these properties, affecting homeowners and the local tax base. 
 
 Reputational Damage: 
 Word-of-mouth travels fast. Negative experiences with beach access can tarnish the area&#039;s reputation as a desirable vacation spot, making it harder to attract tourists in the future. 
 
 Community Division: 
 The people that own rentals, and the people that visit those rentals are going to have a growing resentment toward the local government. This can cause long term problems with community relations. 
 
Essentially, this isn&#039;t a short-term blip. It&#039;s a fundamental change that could have long-lasting economic and social consequences. The short sightedness of the people that caused these changes is going to hurt the area for a long time.

Here is the 2024-2025 School Calendar from [URL='https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/']Visit South Walton[/URL] - Use it to help plan your trips to SoWal. Locals can see when to promote business, events, and when to plan around traffic, and crowds at restaurants and grocery stores. The school calendar shows when K-12 schools and universities/colleges in our major travel markets will be on break and for school start dates.


[B]Spring Break 2025 Notables:[/B]
Birmingham Public Schools 3/24/2025- 3/28/2025
Auburn University 3/10/2025-3/14/2025
University of Alabama 3/7/2025-3/16/2025
Walton County FL 3/17/2025-3/21/2025
Florida State University 3/10/2025-3/14/2025
Atlanta Fulton County 4/1/24-4/5/24
Atlanta Dekalb County, Gwinnett County, Cobb County 4/7/2025-4/11/2025
University of Georgia 3/3/2025-3/7/2025


South Walton School Calendar includes 30A travel info for Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break and other holidays.


[URL='https://www.waltoncountyfltourism.com/userfiles/2024-2025_South_Walton_Top_Feeder_Market_Schools_Calendar.pdf']Click to open the 2024-2025 South Walton School Break Calendar in PDF format[/URL].


[URL='https://www.waltoncountyfltourism.com/userfiles/2024-2025_South_Walton_Top_Feeder_Market_Schools_Calendar.xlsx']Click to open the 2024-2025 South Walton School Break Calendar in Excel format[/URL].


[B]Want to know where to rent?[/B] [URL='http://SoWal.com/stay']See our SoWal Rental Partners for the best in rental homes, condos and hotels.[/URL]

Here is the 2024-2025 School Calendar from <a href="https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">Visit South Walton</a> - Use it to help plan your trips to SoWal. Locals can see when to promote business, events, and when to plan around traffic, and crowds at restaurants and grocery stores. The school calendar shows when K-12 schools and universities/colleges in our major travel markets will be on break and for school start dates. 
 
 
Spring Break 2025 Notables: 
Birmingham Public Schools 3/24/2025- 3/28/2025 
Auburn University 3/10/2025-3/14/2025 
University of Alabama 3/7/2025-3/16/2025 
Walton County FL 3/17/2025-3/21/2025 
Florida State University 3/10/2025-3/14/2025 
Atlanta Fulton County 4/1/24-4/5/24 
Atlanta Dekalb County, Gwinnett County, Cobb County 4/7/2025-4/11/2025 
University of Georgia 3/3/2025-3/7/2025 
 
 
South Walton School Calendar includes 30A travel info for Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break and other holidays. 
 
 
<a href="https://www.waltoncountyfltourism.com/userfiles/2024-2025_South_Walton_Top_Feeder_Market_Schools_Calendar.pdf" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">Click to open the 2024-2025 South Walton School Break Calendar in PDF format</a>. 
 
 
<a href="https://www.waltoncountyfltourism.com/userfiles/2024-2025_South_Walton_Top_Feeder_Market_Schools_Calendar.xlsx" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">Click to open the 2024-2025 South Walton School Break Calendar in Excel format</a>. 
 
 
Want to know where to rent? <a href="http://SoWal.com/stay" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">See our SoWal Rental Partners for the best in rental homes, condos and hotels.</a>

Spring Break 2025 News & Info in South Walton Florida

Grayton BeachCam

Dune Allen BeachCam

Seagrove Beach SkyCam

Inlet BeachCam

Miramar BeachCam Majestic Sun

Santa Rosa BeachCam

Blast on the Bay

Walton County Fair

Harvest Wine & Food Festival: Celebrity Winemakers Dinners

Grayton Locals Market

Grayton Beach Wine Walk

2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026

Support Our Parks: The 2026 Friends of Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch Is Open

Annual Events and Festivals in South Walton

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Spring Break 2025 News & Info in South Walton Florida

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2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026