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JBPD will use longer hours and more patrols with spring break, The Players and St. Patrick’s Day all colliding for a busy weekend.
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach police have entered Spring Surge mode with the Players, spring break and St. Patrick’s Day weekend all happening at the same time.
This weekend last year saw a lockdown in downtown after three unrelated shootings left one dead and three injured.
“Crazy stuff for sure,” said Surfer The Bar bartender Kale Farber.
As Farber gears up for another busy St. Patrick’s Day, he’s hoping his experience this year is a little different than it was last year.
“You just heard active shooter, so we locked the doors, pulled everyone upstairs, kind of panic mode for 10 minutes, no one really knows what’s going on,” Farber recalled.
Jacksonville Beach police ultimately determined there wasn’t an active shooter – but three different shootings spread out over a few blocks just minutes apart.
Chief Gene Paul Smith said in a memo sent to staff that the events of St. Patrick’s Day should serve as a turning point for the department.
He used the memo to announce Spring Surge, where they’ll have more patrols on the streets for busy weekends with good weather throughout March and for the first few weeks of April.
“I know I’ve been seeing a huge police presence out, which is good for that reason,” said Farber. “It’s a busy time right now, so to eliminate anyone getting any idea of doing something stupid, it feels a lot better that way.”
Farber says he’ll be behind the bar all weekend, which he figures to be a long one with St. Patrick’s Day on a Monday to stretch it out.
You could already see plenty of green at the beach Saturday, with folks starting the bar crawl early, hoping to put last year in the rearview mirror.
“You know, good vibes and staying positive,” said bar crawl participant Jake Hatter. “You have to stay positive. That’s the only way to do it.”
Instead, they focus on all their must-have drinks.
“Irish Car Bomb,” said fellow bar crawl participant Chris Griffin.
“Beer,” added Griffin’s wife, Payton Griffin. “All beer, any beer.”
Jacksonville Beach police will continue their surge patrols each of the next few days and throughout the spring on weekends with good weather and during event weeks.
