JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s been a tradition for generations: the annual Opening of the Beaches is this weekend in Jacksonville Beach.
It’s a time to celebrate all that beach life offers and what a fantastic weekend of weather we have in store for beachgoers. But this will also be the first scheduled large gathering since the deadly shootings that took place on St. Patrick’s Day in Jacksonville Beach. Jacksonville Beach city leaders hope to reassure visitors and residents about safety during the event.
The beach was anything but a tranquil family activity on March 17 as gunshots rang out from three shootings, killing one person.
Jacksonville Beach mayor Chris Hoffman says that safety is at the forefront of her planning for Opening of the Beaches.
“This is one of those all-hands weekends where you’ll see not only our officers but our citizens on patrol all helping to make sure everyone has a fun and safe weekend,” said Hoffman.
Hoffman also said Jax Beach police staff events based on expected attendance, so she expects a large police presence to maintain safety during Opening of the Beaches.
“There’s a lot that you’re not going to see, we’re prepared for anything that might happen in our downtown area in terms of just having this many people,” said Hoffman.
Aside from sand castle contests, volleyball tournaments and the annual parade, thousands of people are expected to flock to the sand and water, but there’s a portion of the beach between 11th Avenue South and 16th Avenue South that is currently closed for a beach renourishment project.
“There are bulldozers, loaders and heavy equipment that can kill you,” said Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue Captain Rob Emahiser. “It’s dangerous, it’s dangerous for your kids and adults, not a good place to swim and quite simply please give those guys room to work.”
Emahiser said there’s plenty of other areas of the beach, but recommends swimming in front of a lifeguard stand, especially wit ha risk of rip currents this weekend.
Opening of the Beaches starts Friday night with a silent disco and continues with activities throughout the day on Saturday and the parade on Sunday. More information about the weekend can be found here.
The following is a combined statement from all three beaches law enforcement groups:
"All Duval County law enforcement agencies (Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) take local beach laws very seriously and take law enforcement and legal action to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens and guests if the laws are disregarded.
- No drinking alcoholic beverages in public, including on the beach.
- No public intoxication or endangerment of the safety of another person or property.
- No nudity is allowed. Appropriate attire and body coverings are required.
- No possession of marijuana and/or controlled substances.
- No disobeying rules posted by Ocean Rescue or instruction or directions from a Law Enforcement Officer.
- No throwing debris on the beach or into the Atlantic Ocean.
- No unpermitted open fires, campfires, grills, or other cooking or heating devices on thebeach.
- No sleeping, lodging, camping, or lying on the beach between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- No walking on sand dunes.
- No releasing balloons or sky lanterns
- No glass (bottles, containers, or otherwise) is allowed on the beach.
- No person shall place or deposit, or permit to be placed or deposited, any human waste on the Atlantic Ocean beach.
- No motorized vehicles on the beach.
- No littering.
- No obstructing traffic (driveways or intersections).
- Know local parking regulations (violators may be towed).
- No parking in roadways designated as thoroughfares.
- Check local laws regarding dog leashes and permitted hours on the beach.