Public Safety

Walton Sheriff’s Office to suspend beach access for large crowds and unaccompanied teens

In an effort to maintain order during the busy Spring Break season, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) has announced plans to suspend beach access from County Road 283 S east to the Bay County line starting at 7 pm until further notice. Sheriff Michael Adkinson emphasized the importance of preventing situations from escalating during […]

Jared Williams

In an effort to maintain order during the busy Spring Break season, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) has announced plans to suspend beach access from County Road 283 S east to the Bay County line starting at 7 pm until further notice.

The decision comes in anticipation of a large influx of teenage crowds expected from April 1st through April 5th.

Sheriff Michael Adkinson emphasized the importance of preventing situations from escalating during the busiest week of Spring Break, as Atlanta residents make their way down. The WCSO will target large groups of unaccompanied minors and prohibit them from congregating on the sand in Santa Rosa Beach.

“Our team is in the final stretch of Spring Break,” said Sheriff Adkinson. “It is imperative that during our busiest week – Atlanta – we prevent a situation from getting out of control. We are trying to get ahead of this now.”

The release serves as a warning to teenagers planning to visit the beach in groups and encourages parents to avoid allowing their children to go to the beach unsupervised. Anyone found trespassing on private property to access the beach will face charges accordingly.

The WCSO clarifies that this effort will not hinder families from enjoying the beach but is specifically aimed at minors without adult supervision. The department appreciates the patience and understanding of residents during this time.

Despite the announcement coinciding with April Fools’ Day, the WCSO assures the public that this is not a joke. “As far as we are concerned, the real joke is that the start of Atlanta week is April Fools Day,” the release stated.

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