Panama City Beach police, Bay County issue 1,700 traffic citations so far in March

PANAMA CITY BEACH − Local law enforcement officials say strict traffic enforcement has helped curb crime so far this spring break season.

Since the beginning of March, officers with the Panama City Beach Police Department have performed more than 2,100 traffic stops and issued approximately 1,400 citations. And Bay County sheriff's deputies have performed more than 1,000 stops and given about 300 citations during the same time.

"Having a proactive traffic enforcement strategy gives the appearance and the message that we are a town of law and order," Panama City Beach Police Chief JR Talamantez said. "By just the mere blue lights going on the side of the road, and people seeing enforcement action being taken, it deters crime that potentially can be committed.

"If you're out here, and you're coming here for the purpose of possibly committing a crime, and you don't see any police officers conducting their business, or you don't see a marked police car anywhere, you're going to be more likely to commit that crime."

Stephen Jencks, captain of the west district patrol for BCSO, agreed. He and Talamantez noted their departments increase patrol units during high-traffic times like spring break to help control influxes of people.

"It's not necessarily all the traffic stops that we do, it's the visibility that we have," Jencks said. "When you see patrol cars every quarter of a mile or so, you know it's going to be much more difficult to get away with a crime. ... We try and be as visible as possible."

Jencks also said BCSO has "an expectation that everything is going to be fine," while still "preparing for the worst."

In February, before waves of spring breakers began flocking to the area, local law enforcement officials held a joint press conference on the Beach to show a united front against potential criminals that might come to the area.

There, officials said they thought this spring break season might bring an even larger uptick in tourists compared to past years because of when Easter weekend falls.

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As of Tuesday, Jencks and Talamantez said they thought the preemptive approach their departments have taken in response to that potential threat is paying off so far.

"We've had a really good month of March, as far as spring break goes," Jencks said." The (tourists) who have been here have been very respectful. ... We haven't had too many issues. Of course spring break is not over yet, so we don't want to jump ahead of that, but we're very happy with as smooth it's gone so far."

"I've learned not to expect anything," Talamantez said. "This weekend is slated to be the busiest weekend. ... We can't control who comes to town. We can only take action on those individuals who commit crimes while they are in our town."