In the Florida Panhandle, authorities are taking a proactive approach this spring break by sharing viral body camera footage aimed at addressing rowdy behavior among college students who may be breaking the law.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), responsible for the busy Panama City area, has initiated a social media campaign to curb unlawful activities by highlighting online arrests.
“We appreciate our community and our visitors who respect the law, but we will not tolerate disorder caused by illegal activity,” noted Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford in a Facebook post.
Recent clips of incidents related to spring break disruptions have gone viral, amassing hundreds of thousands of views as authorities try to manage the influx of college students on local beaches this year.
In the latest episode of “Busted in the Panhandle,” viewers can see BCSO stepping in to break up multiple house parties and street racing events. One particularly chaotic moment involved a college student allegedly covered in blood outside a residence as deputies responded to a disturbance call on February 28.
Upon arriving, officers found Stephen Claghorn attempting to get into his car with blood on his face and shirt, while a woman named “Eva” yelled at him, according to a detailed incident report.
Witnesses described how Claghorn had a falling out with Ava “on her birthday” during a party, leading to a heated argument. As tensions escalated, he reportedly tried to throw a punch at Ava but was stopped by others in attendance. When officers arrived, Eva allegedly shoved an officer and was promptly taken into custody.
Claghorn was later charged with non-violent assault and resisting law enforcement, police confirmed.
Another video, taken on March 8, shows the police disbanding a house party packed with students. Around a dozen party-goers, dressed in typical spring break attire, were seen filing out as police sought to identify the party organizers.
An officer can be heard explaining, “We live in a city where people come on vacation and have a good time, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to break our laws.”
Additionally, another clip recorded on February 28 presents officers detaining an individual suspected of racing two vehicles on a public roadway, with speeds reaching an alarming 167 mph.
Body camera footage captures the arrest, capturing the driver, Rodney Jackson, questioning whether he was under arrest as the officer informed him of his high speed in a lower-speed zone.
In response to ongoing disruptions, Panama City Beach has enforced a temporary ban on alcohol for the entire month of March, requiring bars to close by 2 a.m. Furthermore, there’s now a curfew for minors, and vacation rentals cannot be booked by those under 21.
Meanwhile, in Volusia County, 133 arrests were made over the weekend during spring break.
Ford cautioned those considering participating in such activities, suggesting they seek a different location: “We encourage parents of minors to be aware of these rules to avoid significant legal issues.”
