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Deputies curbing public drinking on Pensacola Beach

Escambia Sheriff’s Deputies will be out in force to ensure that the Mardi Gras Krewe of Wrecks Parade on Pensacola Beach is a family event by curbing alcohol consumption in public areas. Lisa Kostik The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is warning revelers who plan to get slammed during the Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade on Sunday, Feb. 14 on Pensacola Beach they might wind up in the slammer.

Lt. Rodney Eddins of the ECSO says about 50 deputies will be strictly enforcing open-container laws, particularly in county parking lots, in an effort to quell the extreme rowdiness that led to fights and other disturbances during and after the parade in recent years.

Crowds of 25,000 to 30,000 people traditionally attend and/or participate in the popular event on Via de Luna Drive.

“There have been concerns expressed by different people out here on the beach that Mardi Gras over the past few years has evolved into a drunk-fest and not so much an activity for spectators,” Eddins said. “A lot of people get intoxicated and end up getting in trouble, fighting and creating disturbances. We’re not going to tolerate that behavior.”

Eddins said close attention will be given to revelers who park in the Casino Beach lot. An Escambia County ordinance prohibits open containers in the lot, and violators will be dealt with accordingly.

“It’s an old law, but we just started enforcing it strictly again last year,” Eddins said.

“People are going to drink; we know that. We can’t go after every single person who is drinking. But in county

parking lots, drinking is against the law. There are other areas on the beach where you can drink.

“As long as people are acting responsibly and not drawing attention to themselves, there probably won’t be any need for any type of confrontation with law enforcement. But if you are out there showing out, being loud, obnoxious, obviously intoxicated and causing a disturbance or bothering other people, then you most certainly will be confronted by law enforcement.”

Eddins said more than 20 people were arrested during and after last year’s parade.

The Krewe of Wrecks Parade will start at 2 p.m. and travel west on the eastbound (south) lanes of Via de Luna Drive. Traffic lanes will close between 1:30 and 1:40 p.m. The parade will start at 2 p.m. and last a couple of hours.

“The parade will run on the south side of Via de Luna, the purpose being so we can open up the roadways on the west-bound lanes quicker and get people off the island,” Eddins said. “That’s been the problem in the past with all the congestion. People can’t go anywhere, so all they can do is stay out here. They continue to drink, and we start having fights and stuff. The quicker we get people moving off the island, the better things will be.”

Eddins added that officers will continue patrolling the business core area well into the night to increase security.

“We want everyone to come out and enjoy the parade and have a good time,” he said. “But everyone should pay attention to the rules. When people are in county parking lots, they don’t need to be drinking. People should be cognizant of what they are doing and how they are acting.”