Spring break calm, but underage drinking citations rise

DESTIN, FL - With spring break only halfway over, the number of underage drinkers cited by sheriff's deputies is already equal to last year's total.

According to statistics from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, in 2007 deputies cited 141 underage drinkers, and in 2008 there were about 267 underage drinkers cited. As of Monday, 266 have been cited this season.

Spring break doesn't end until about April 17.

"It hasn't seemed busier," said deputy Jason Fulghum. "I think where the difference comes from is there were several of us on the beach last year who were new to working the beach. I think we have gotten more accustomed and more proficient than we were last year."

Fulghum is part of the Sheriff's Office's community policing division in Destin. He said even though deputies are actively writing tickets, no one has been verbally or physically abusive. Fulghum also said he hasn't heard reports of any fights this spring break.

Four deputies are scheduled to patrol Destin's beaches on ATVs and four are positioned on Okaloosa Island this year. Fulghum said those officers make their presence known and stop to talk to people to help stop trouble before it starts.

"It's a good group this year," Fulghum said. "I haven't had any problems out of anybody."

Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa reports only a few pranks and a couple of occasions of underage drinking so far this year.

"We don't have anything serious," said Detria Birr, who is part of Courtesy Patrol for the resort. "We're very fortunate."

Birr said there are times when kids throw water balloons off balconies, but that's taken care of pretty quickly.

"Mommy and Daddy don't like it when they find out their kids are going to incur fines," Birr said with a laugh.

Birr said the spring break crowd is a little noisier than typical guests, and trash is more prevalent because of the influx of people, but the resort takes it in stride.

"We allow them to have a good time and have their music up, but after 10 p.m., we crack down," she said. "We want to make sure everyone has a good time."

Some spring breakers had too much of a good time and will go home with tickets from the Sheriff's Office, but Kelsey Messmer is not one of them.

Messmer, 18, from Evansville, Ind., traveled to Destin with a few friends and her mother. She said about 50 people from her high school made the trip.

"We lay out all day. If it rains we go shopping," Messmer said. "We go out to eat and we go to the beach at night."

The beach is where many of the underage drinking citations are issued because teens gather there to consume alcohol when they can't go to clubs.

Messmer said a few of the people she knows got into trouble for having alcohol this week. Her friends turned their heads and giggled at her comment as they lounged by a pool Wednesday afternoon.

"I don't know if they learned their lesson or not," Messmer said with a smile. "I didn't get a ticket, though. Make sure people know that."