Cops Crack Down on Excessive Twerking at Florida Party Beach

Panama City Beach authorities use paintball guns and pepper spray to enforce new restrictions on boisterous spring break behavior.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:12pm

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Police in Panama City Beach, Florida, have cracked down on excessive twerking and other wild spring break behavior, using paintball guns and pepper spray to enforce new restrictions. The move comes after a spate of violence and unruly crowds in nearby Daytona Beach, prompting concerns that the party may shift to Panama City Beach. Authorities are also imposing an 8 p.m. curfew and banning alcohol on the beach in an effort to curb the rowdy spring break scene.

Why it matters

Panama City Beach has long been a notorious spring break destination, but in recent years has struggled with issues like shootings, sexual assaults, and out-of-control parties. The crackdown on twerking and other behavior is part of the city's efforts to clean up its reputation and maintain public safety as large crowds of college students and teens descend on the area.

The details

Over the weekend, officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were heard shouting "No twerking! You will be charged with disorderly conduct!" at groups of female spring breakers on the beach. The heavy-handed response came after a spate of violence in nearby Daytona Beach, including four shootings and a panicked stampede at a party. Panama City Beach has implemented new restrictions, including a ban on drinking alcohol on the beach, a curfew, and a prohibition on bringing coolers. Authorities are concerned the crackdown could drive the spring break crowds to other nearby beach towns like Destin.

  • On Saturday evening, police cracked down on excessive twerking in Panama City Beach.
  • Earlier this month, Daytona Beach saw four shootings and a stampede at a spring break party.

The players

Panama City Beach

A longtime spring break destination in Florida that has struggled with issues like shootings, sexual assaults, and out-of-control parties in recent years.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The state agency that sent officers to crack down on excessive twerking in Panama City Beach over the weekend.

Emory Gill

A 21-year-old who sells alcohol-fueled Jell-O shots on the beach in the nearby town of Destin, which has become a new party zone as Panama City Beach has declined.

Kevin Boyle

The general manager of the Seaside Community Development Corporation, who says the typically picturesque village has seen an influx of teen and college spring breakers in recent years, leading to a new curfew and marketing campaign urging parents to keep track of their kids.

Tommy Ford

The sheriff of Bay County, which hosts Panama City Beach, who says the problems are twofold: high schools in nearby Atlanta coordinating spring break schedules, and the rise of 'takeovers' - informal, flash meetups organized on social media.

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What they’re saying

“Five years ago, spring break was absolutely crazy. But what we did was create this curfew and a campaign with the #ComeGetYourKids to encourage parents to keep track of their unaccompanied minors.”

— Kevin Boyle, General Manager, Seaside Community Development Corporation

“When you have thousands of people showing up in one place, there are some with guns. There are gangbangers. And you have crowd dynamics where someone pulls out a gun, and it causes a stampede.”

— Tommy Ford, Sheriff, Bay County

What’s next

Authorities in Panama City Beach and surrounding areas plan to maintain a heavy law enforcement presence and continue enforcing new restrictions on spring break behavior in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The crackdown on excessive twerking and other rowdy spring break activities in Panama City Beach highlights the ongoing challenges coastal Florida communities face in managing the influx of young partiers each year, balancing public safety concerns with the economic benefits of spring break tourism.