Are Spring Breakers Breaking our Beach?

As I was doing my morning tweets on Twitter, I gasped at my comment on a comparison of Spring Brakers (sic)to AIG. There it was..a misspell for all the Twitter World to see. (See follow my twitter below). First I was ready to complete a damage control tweet but then I realized this was an opportunity to make a point. Are today's Spring Breakers, the phrase that depicts the rite of spring where thousands of college students flock to the beach in order to blow off steam from excruciating college work as depicted in the film, "Where The Boys Are" or are they just a collection of self serving Generation Y hooligans who have degenerated into Spring Breakers, i.e. breakers of local laws, patio furniture, beach rules, and, yes, the hearts of true beach lovers who respect the beauty and wonder of one of the crown jewels of nature. This year, the term "breakers" describe the disruption, disrespect and irreparable damage to Panama City Beach. The problem is that in the world of Pottery Barn, "if you break it, you own it." Here at the Emerald Beach, they are only in the business of breaking. In terms of human causalities there are at least 4 deaths, three falls from high rise ledges, the injuries vary from paralysis to facial damage, several date rape complaints and and too many altercations with law enforcement and each other to compute. And to think, we are only half way through the Spring Break season.
As a former Hoosier who is now making Panama City Beach my home, I have observed this disturbing phenomena up close and personal. First it was the eight students who rented the condo next to ours only to have a fight break out and obscenities being shouted from the sidewalk, yes but we're the family friendly complex...so much for that claim in the brochure.
Having breathed a sign of relief and welcoming quiet nights once again as their vehicles departed did not last long, two hours later, along came a football team group from a college in Mississippi which included six guys and their six girlfriends quietly assuming the position for their turn at destruction. It was the only time that quiet prevailed. They were loud, crude and thought nothing of urinating outside for the view of any and all, great example for the children once again. Of course poor lads, with only two restrooms in the condo and twelve having nature call, what's a jerk supposed to do?? Thankfully our Condo Manager booted them at midweek. But if any of you think our greater Tourist Development Association of Panama City Beach would want that expulsion to happen at the high rise condos that line the beaches, I've got a condo I want to sell you at 2005 prices!!




The TDA (Tourist Development Association) has sold it's profit making soul to the debacle of young adults behaving badly. In a climate of economic crisis, unemployment and fear of foreclosure, what we have here is a cavalier attitude displayed not only by selfish, overindulgent college students(using that term very lightly) but also shared by the greedy adults who if not created are accomplices to this landfill of toxic behavior and slob mentality. It has already cost the demise of many Canadian "snowbirds" who have openly vowed to return to Canadian Sunsets that are unfettered by garbage albeit in subzero temperatures before their return to Panama City Blight.




They say that a picture is worth 1000 words and I want to applaud the New England School of Photography for using their craft to depict what is happening in Panama City Beach. Go the the Panama City News Herald website:http://newsherald.emeraldcoastphotoseast.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?userphoto=0&image=22852702&thispage=1 for a view that underscores the norm of behavior these past weeks. To Panama City Beach residents and to those who are stewards of our beaches, enough is enough!