Gulf Coast authorities issue spring break warning

MONTGOMERY CO., AL (WSFA) - Authorities in beach communities along the Gulf Coast have issued this warning to spring breakers -- drunken and disorderly behavior will not be tolerated.

Last year, spring break got out of control in Panama City Beach, with a shooting and viral video of an alleged gang rape.

That prompted the city council to ban alcohol consumption on the beach during the month of March this year.

"I know for a fact in Panama City they have four-wheelers going up and down the beach all day long. They're asking about anything in your hand. They're going to be smelling anything in your hand," said Audrey Shaw, program coordinator with AUM's Counseling Center.

The crackdown in Panama City Beach already seems to be making an impact. The Sheriff's Beach Patrol made 40 arrests over the weekend resulting in 52 charges -- 28 of those were for possession of alcohol on the beach.

Now, other Gulf Coast cities are bracing for the fallout.

"Heard a lot of people were coming here and Panama City got shut down," said one Orange Beach spring breaker.

"A lot of the social media chatter indicated that kids were going to start looking at other places other than Panama City and a lot of them were looking at Orange Beach, Gulf Shores so we thought it was important we got out ahead of the story made sure we aren't playing catch up and we ended this before it started," said Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon.

If authorities along the Gulf have their way, rowdy spring breaks will be a thing of the past.

"If you come down here you better come down here and behave. If you come down here and misbehave, there are no mulligans no do-overs, you're going to jail," said Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon. 

The Orange Beach Police Department released the following statement on its Facebook page:

Regardless of where you go on spring break, students at AUM say you can't take a break from following the rules.

"I try and tell my friends don't do nothing that your mama wouldn't approve," said AUM senior Samuel Duff.

Speaking of mom's approval, counselors at Auburn University Montgomery urge parents to be honest and proactive.

"A proactive parent might have their student discuss their limitations, put them on paper things they say they will or won't do, that may sound absurd but sometimes if you're honest the child will actually follow through," said Jennifer Bradley, director of the AUM Counseling Center.

Officials say it's more than just staying out of trouble. It's all about knowing your limits and being true to yourself.

"Have the spring break that you want to have not the one that people might expect you to have because you're in college," Shaw said.

Both Auburn and Alabama students will be on spring break next week.

Copyright 2016 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.