NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Thousands are planning to head to our coast this weekend for Memorial Day at the beach. On top of the typical crowd, police around Volusia County are gearing up for some possible unsanctioned, or pop-up, events.
Add in strong rip currents and it could be a dangerous mix. Police and lifeguards are getting ready to take on several issues this weekend.
“We’ve had hazardous rip current conditions throughout the last few days. Since the beginning of March, we’ve rescued over 400 people from the water,” Interim Chief Tammy Malphurs with Volusia Beach Safety said.
Malphurs said they’re expecting a jam-packed weekend for lifeguards.
“It’s extremely important no matter what, if there’s not a lifeguard out there, don’t go in the water,” she said.
Police are also keeping an eye on who is showing up.
Typically, New Smyrna Police Chief Eric Feldman said Memorial Day isn’t their rowdiest holiday but this year, there are two unsanctioned events police are monitoring. Law enforcement said one is in Daytona Beach and the other is in New Smyrna involving trucks.
“Our hope is that due to all the events they set up at the speedway that that’s going to be where they generally stay but if they do come to town, we’re ready for them,” Feldman said.
The reason police are preparing for a bad scenario is back in 2021, a “truck meet” event Daytona Beach led to about 940 citations, 52 arrests and a road rage shooting.
Volusia County has since created special event zones for unsanctioned events with increased fines and penalties for breaking laws.
“We coordinate that with the sheriff’s office. If it’s an unsanctioned event, they have a great track record of reaching out to the organizers and letting them know what the true cost is going to be and we will absolutely, if we need to do something like that, do that,” Feldman said.
The chief said they aren’t enacting the special event zone just yet but have it in their back pocket.
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