If you're thinking about heading down to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for spring break and want to drink, you might need to find a different vacation spot.
From March 1–April 17, the Gulf Shores Police Department and the Baldwin County Sheriff's Department will deploy more officers to enforce its first year of a zero-tolerance no alcohol policy.
"Thousands of college students typically come to our city for spring break," said GSPD Chief Edward Delmore in an announcement this week. "We want to make sure everyone understands those rules."
During the designated period, no possession or consumption of alcohol on beaches will be allowed, police said. No warnings will be issued, and violators will be subject to physical arrest or citations requiring court appearances.
The Orange Beach, Alabama, police made a similar statement: Underage drinking, illegal drug use and disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. They also promised to issue no warnings, according to their announcement.
"If you are looking for a party town, the city of Orange Beach is not it," OBPD said in their announcement.
The Orange Beach Police Department also warned spring break visitors against sleeping in their cars, having glass containers on the beach, digging large holes and having loud music on beaches or in condo and hotel rooms.
Alcohol is also prohibited on any state beach in Orange Beach.
Efforts to crack down on underage drinking and misbehavior began in 2015 when a video went viral of an alleged gang rape on a beach in Panama City Beach, Florida. A zero-tolerance, no-alcohol ban was implemented there in 2016, and it will continue this year.
Many college students swapped to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in 2016, prompting Gulf Shores to pass their own no-alcohol ordinance for spring break last year.
In 2016, arrests were up 800 percent in Orange Beach alone, according to WSFA. Arrests were also up in Gulf Shores. Police hope to make fewer arrests this year with their announcements, but they will if they have to.
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