NCJ Number
213589
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 53 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2005 Pages: 100-104
Date Published
November 2005
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses how the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department in the town of Destin, FL partnered with business representatives along the waterfront area to deal with teen violence and underage drinking during spring break.
Abstract
In 2001, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department in Destin, FL including the beach patrol units, along with waterfront business owners, such as hotels and property managers, as well as property owners formed a successful partnership to curtail teen problems (i.e., underage drinking) on the beaches. Meetings are held prior to spring break with representatives from condominiums and hotels where patrol members encourage business owners to impose rules that the department cannot. In addition, after each spring break the patrol holds another meeting reviewing what worked and what did not with recommendations for future change. Recommendations include: preventing unsupervised teenagers from checking-in; controlling access to the problem areas; informing teens about alternative activities; illuminating the beaches; and imposing a curfew on the beach. Even though there are limitations in working with and through businesses and property owners, it has shown to be the most effective tool the department has found.