It seems Florida is the albatross to the nation, then!
(I can make that joke because we live in Florida, I suppose)
Not sure why a parent would want their child in a College Students Gone Wild situation, in any case.
Many years ago I worked with a woman whose only restriction on her son’s spring break was that it be in the US. I think he went to South Padre one year and Daytona another. I think these places may be worse (more wild) than Mexico or the Caribbean, but those were her rules. She just didn’t want him in a Mexican jail.
My nephew went to San Diego for a few days this year and he got a ticket for drinking on the beach. At noon, with no disruption and no big crowd-they are very strict. It’s going to cost him a fortune. I think kids go to Texas and Florida because the drinking parties on the beach are more popular and overlooked by police
My mom retired to a florida spring break destination years ago. At some point the city got upset about what was transpiring and somehow managed to chase away the spring breakers to other locales. This came at the same time that most of the cheap motels on the beach were replaced with more expensive hotels - probably one factor, but not the only one. I haven’t been there for years since mom is gone now, and I have no idea what the current status is. Politics change and for all I know, there could be the same scene there as in days of yore. However, what it does show is that the local government has a lot to do with what happens on the beach during daylight - not bystanders. More police for sure, and probably monitoring on the motels in terms of occupancy restriction enforcement as well.
My freshman year I went down to Miami for spring break. I wanted to experience the drunken mess of the 305. Bad things happened. Great things happened. It was, at the time, the craziest event I had been to and I enjoyed it. I wouldn’t do it again, and honestly, I had wished I spent my spring break volunteering rather than sleeping the day away and watching the sun rise. This past year I did something else.
The law enforcement and the policies of the beaches, hotels, and entertainment drive which spots become hot spots. If you have a strip that has low prices or special when you book three rooms or more…well students are going to flock. If your beaches don’t enforce the ban of alcohol or are hosting DJs for the week…students are going to flock. If your clubs are highly concentrated and are not necessarily strict on their alcohol consumption…students are going to flock. And it’s not just your locals.
More often than not, I would say it’s those who travel from outside the area that do the most damage.
In response to whether or not parents would “let” their kids go, you can’t necessarily control your adult child when they’re away for spring break. You can say, “You’re not going to this party and I mean it!”, but Little Johnny could be on his computer purchasing the ticket with whatever money he has. Parents really can only express their discontentment, hope that their kids has enough smarts to avoid those places or at least be aware when they’re there, and hope for the best.
“I was in Florida, on the beach, during spring break. Nothing! Just have to pick an ‘old folks’ beach (anywhere south of Daytona).”
@twoinanddone - lol. We just got back from Melbourne beach, Fl. It was awesome! There were no mass crowds of drunk college kids like we have seen in the past at Panama City Beach, Destin and Golf shores. I wish I had realized this years ago.
That’s where I was, Melbourne. Old folks village for sure.
Maybe we shouldn’t let the secret out?
The local sheriff said that some of the bystanders were only about 10 feet away! I saw the video this morning. It may be that some of the bystanders were too stupefied by liquor to notice…and I do mean STUPID-FIED!
Considering how Tough Mudder is coming into the area in November, enjoy the secret while you can.
I’m wondering if spring break skiing is a “safer” bet
*
At least skiing they are getting exercise.
D attended school close to a ski resort, but junior year, her BF took her skiing to Mt Bachelor.
I really do not understand the appeal of a beach where everyone is expected to be under the influence of something. Did they not get enough of that on Friday/Saturday nights?
Considering how Tough Mudder is coming into the area in November, enjoy the secret while you can*
I hope they’ve improved their safety record.
It should be physically challenging, but most participants don’t expect to drown or contract diarrhea.
No, there are safer ways to unwind.
I went to Spring Break twice when Ft. Lauderdale was the absolute mecca for Spring Breakers. Yes, it was wild. However, I have to say that it is not substantially different than the scene at many of the big colleges on a wild Saturday night after the huge football game or basketball victory.
We lived in Daytona for a few years, and there is no way on Earth I would approve of/fund my kids taking part in the sort of Spring Break festivities that area is known for. And while there may be-- undoubtedly are-- the usual assortment of local miscreants present, adding in thousands upon thousands of drunk and high young adults who are out for a good time with no responsibilities is not a recipe for laying easy blame on the locals.
Everyone I knew at the time we were living there absolutely loathed Spring Break and BCR. By comparison, Race Week, Bike Week and Biketoberfest were a doddle. Nowhere near the crime, destruction, or disruption involved, despite the reputation Bikers have.
Saintfan, I did poke them for proof of life…not to mention I had chores for them that I can’t do myself!
It’s hard sometimes w/o opposable thumbs 
Updating the original post. The Panama City Police took an active approach to locate the girl. She did not know this had even happened. The then set out to locate the boys. They were students from Troy Alabama. They boys have been arrested and charged. Also, Panama City Beach held an emergency meeting. Changes were made and enforced. No alcohol on the beach. Clubs could no longer allow teens inside. Bars closed at 2 instead of 4. The police set up drug checkpoints just inside the stateline, confiscating drugs and guns. I took my senior and her friend to PCB, staying at a gulf resort on Bay Point. The police were very visible every night on the beach strip, running emergency lights constantly to be visible. It was fun, but quiet. Not jammed packed as I expected. There were actually vacancies at beach hotels. The restrictions will be lifted April 19th, after the spring breakers are back home.
I saw the video this morning, at least what was released. It was showing the bystanders, and to me it looked like they didn’t have a clue as to what was going on. The kids i saw were just laughing and talking and drinking, not paying attention to what was happening. I’m sure there were ones that did witness this, but the news accounts made it seem like 100’s were standing around watching. I do hope the city is able to pass the new laws they want to pass.
I’ve lived long enough to see the Florida migration patterns of rampaging undergrads change from Fort Lauderdale (aka Fort Liquordale) to Daytona Beach to PCB. I believe this northerly shift may be related to global warming.
^lol
If these guys were members of a fraternity, this thread would have hundreds of pages. People would want the whole fraternity punished. But since they aren’t it’s only a few pages. Just sayin’
An update on this case:
Third suspect arrested in spring break gang rape watched by hundreds
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/12/two-college-students-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-woman-as-hundreds-allegedly-watched/?tid=hybrid_experimentrandom_1_na