AM850.com

As warmer weather sets in, spring break approaches for local high school students. As teens flood to the beaches, the Alachua County Sheriff's office will send extra officers to patrol the Crescent beach area on the look out for underage drinking. Alachua County's Lieutenant Steven Maynard says their main goal during spring break is safety. Maynard also says that most problems arise from the illegal consumption of alcohol. Officers made recent visits to multiple high schools to inform students of potential dangers associated with underage drinking. Students caught underage drinking could face arrest as well as phone calls to parents. Maynard says that informing parents is one of the biggest tools used by officers. Despite the recent budget cuts, Maynard believes we cannot put a price on our young people's safety. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office will be responsible for the Crescent Beach area, although numerous police departments will patrol the beaches up and down the east coast. The county will also have extra officers locally to keep an eye on students who didn't travel for spring break. Maynard encourages students to have fun without the use of alcohol and hopes to see all students return safely.