Final Numbers for Operation Dry Spring 2015 – Does not include OCSO Entire Spring Break Season
The Florida Sheriff’s Task Force, in conjunction with the Florida Sheriff’s Association, has concluded “Operation Dry Spring”, a four week Spring Break effort focusing on preventing underage youth from buying and using alcohol, tobacco, and various forms of synthetic drugs. The operation, conducted from March 16th through April 6th, resulted in 2,070 arrests across 28 Florida counties.
Local results were announced today during a joint news conference in Walton County.
During the four weeks of “Operation Dry Spring”, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office issued 266 notices to appear for underage possession of alcohol, the second highest tally in the state.
However Spring Break in northwest Florida typically runs from approximately March 1st to April 25th, a longer season than much of the rest of the state.
During that timeframe, the OCSO’s Spring Break Patrol responded to 949 calls for service and issued a total of 368 citations for underage possession of alcohol.
Deputies say the majority of the arrests took place in the Crystal Beach area, with other Destin beaches second, followed by Okaloosa Island.
In addition, OCSO patrol deputies, School Resource officers, and beach deputies combined to check 45 businesses for underage alcohol and tobacco sales. The 45 business checks resulted in three arrests for underage alcohol sales and four arrests for underage tobacco sales.
Other charges made during Spring Break by the OCSO included seven arrests for possession of marijuana, three for possession of drug paraphernalia, one arrest for possession of fake identification, and one arrest for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Statewide, Operation Dry Spring participants conducted nearly 3,500 business checks to ensure the sale of alcohol, tobacco and synthetic drugs to underage youth isn’t taking place at local businesses, according to FSA President, St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar. “Cutting off the supply chain of these substances to our youth is extremely important in keeping them safe from the dangers of drugs and alcohol.”
For more information on Operation Dry Spring, Contact Nanette Schimpf
nanettes@moorecommgroup.com
850-224-0174
For more information on OCSO Spring Break totals, Contact Michele Nicholson
mnicholson@sheriff-okaloosa.org
850-651-7420
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