(NewsNation) — Despite efforts to ensure safety during spring break, Florida beaches are experiencing a wave of criminal activities, including drug dealing, violence and firearm possession.
The chaos unfolded in various coastal areas, with Volusia County and Miami Beach becoming focal points of law enforcement activities.
In Miami Beach, efforts to control spring break included fines, curfews, bag checks, restricted beach access, DUI checkpoints, $100 parking fees and nonresident towing rates exceeding $500.
Despite these measures, numerous arrests were made.
Deputies arrested 16-year-old Felixander Solis-Guzman, who was allegedly selling marijuana on the beach and pulling out a gun in a crowd on the New Smyrna Beach near Daytona Beach.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, in a Monday interview on NewsNation’s “On Balance,” recounted the suspect attempting to evade authorities by hurling his weapon and drugs into the ocean, requiring a dive team to retrieve the evidence.
Chitwood said Felixander had seven outstanding warrants and yet had not been arrested.
Felixander is now being charged as an adult.
The severity of the situation was further exemplified by an altercation in Jacksonville Beach, where multiple shootings occurred, leaving one person dead and several injured.
In Miami Beach, city leaders say the “Spring Break Breakup” campaign is working.
Total arrests, felonies and disorderly intoxication are all down. So far there have been more 270 arrests there since March 1st and more than 40 weapons have been taken off the streets.
Chitwood expressed gratitude that the situation did not escalate further, acknowledging the potential for catastrophic outcomes given the number of firearms involved.