Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced Tuesday that his office will pursue financial penalties against social media promoters organizing unsanctioned spring break events after 133 arrests were made during the first weekend of celebrations in Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach. The sheriff’s office has already sent two cease-and-desist letters to organizers and threatened lawsuits if the promoters continue advertising “takeover” events without permits. Volusia County will become the first county in Florida to implement financial penalties for these promoters.
“Spring Break Invasion promoters are on notice,” the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We’re coming after you financially for the costs your chaos brings to our community.” Chitwood emphasized that authorities will pursue civil litigation against promoters who continue organizing events that strain community resources and endanger public safety. The sheriff noted that large gatherings organized on social media increase calls for emergency medical services, require deputies to work overtime, and create significant trash cleanup costs.
“We’re going to sue you civilly. We’re coming after every asset that you have. This goes to every promoter. You promote a truck event, you promote a takeover event, we are coming after you financially,” Chitwood said during the news conference. The sheriff stressed that event organizers have legal alternatives available to them. “There’s a way to do business. Get permits. You do things the right way,” he added.
Authorities declared a special event zone in the area from Friday at 11 a.m. until at least Sunday, allowing law enforcement to hand out heavier penalties including higher traffic fines. The enhanced enforcement comes after deputies made 84 arrests in Daytona Beach and 49 arrests in New Smyrna Beach during the first weekend of spring break. About 17 minors were processed at the Volusia County Family Resource Center, with several parents notified to pick up their children who were drunk or high.
Deputies seized six guns during the weekend, including two from one adult and a stolen gun from a juvenile. Chitwood reported 20 encounters when deputies questioned someone for carrying an open container and the person volunteered having a gun in their backpack, with all encounters involving adults. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. You can carry your gun concealed. They can carry a weapon open carry. So it’s a new generation in dealing with spring break,” Chitwood said.
The sheriff addressed viral social media videos showing crowds running on Daytona Beach after hearing what they believed were gunshots. “There were zero gunshots on the beach, because what they were doing was crushing a water bottle to make it sound like a gunshot to stampede the crowd,” Chitwood said. “I was out there, the chief was out there. We were in the middle of it.” The sheriff confirmed that more than 50 deputies were present in the crowd and no actual gunshots occurred on the beach.
New Smyrna Beach Police Department reported Tuesday as the busiest day of spring break so far in their jurisdiction. “We are experiencing heavy traffic, large crowds of juveniles, and increased activity throughout the city, especially in beachside areas and along main roadways,” the agency said. Police warned visitors to expect delays, limited parking, and high volumes of pedestrians throughout the area.
The special event zone with enhanced penalties will remain in effect through at least Sunday as authorities continue monitoring social media for promoted events and preparing potential legal action against organizers who fail to obtain proper permits.