Authorities in Gulf Shores, Alabama, arrested nearly 150 people during Spring Break enforcement operations, as a beach alcohol ban pushed large underage parties into rental homes.
Gulf Shores police cracked down on underage drinking this week, arresting nearly 150 Spring Break tourists over the course of two days, underscoring the unintended consequences of a long-standing beach alcohol ban.
Following the prohibition of alcohol on beaches from March 1 to April 28, the Gulf Shores Police Department recorded 140 arrests related to two sizable house parties along West Beach Boulevard. According to the police, underage drinking had changed.
The biggest incident happened on Thursday night, when police charged one person with complicity and detained 109 people for underage alcohol possession. During the raid, police reported finding "large quantities of alcohol... throughout the property."
Police detained 31 individuals the previous evening at a different event, charging them with complicity and resisting arrest. When the police came, several people also tried to escape, according to the authorities.
One person increased tensions during the bust on Thursday by spilling beer onto an officer below from an upper balcony. According to a department statement, "an unknown individual poured a large quantity of beer... soaking the officer's uniform and equipment."
In an attempt to reduce boisterous conduct along the Gulf Coast, city officials have implemented the seasonal beach alcohol ban every year since 2016. Although the policy appears to have reduced beach-related incidents, it has also forced large gatherings into private rental properties, creating new enforcement challenges for police.
The fact that some of the people detained were allegedly traveling from Texas highlights the popularity of Gulf Coast Spring Break locations.
In stark comparison, authorities in neighboring Galveston, Texas, reported few problems this season. Even on March 6, the customarily busy "Senior Skip Day," Galveston police only made one minor alcohol possession arrest.
As officials continue their crackdown, the expression "come on vacation, leave on probation," which has long been linked with Gulf Coast spring break policing, seems to be gaining new significance.
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