Galveston police enforced strict spring break regulations, closing several beaches due to overcrowding and disturbances. Officers responded to reports of gunfire at 13 Mile Road Beach, leading to multiple closures before reopening later in the evening.
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On Thursday, the city of Galveston posted a video telling visitors that police would be out in full force to crack down on minors' drinking, drunkenness in public, and reckless behavior.
By Friday afternoon, there was a lot of traffic on the island. Police said it was because of an unofficial "senior skip day." Later, police were called to 13 Mile Road Beach because shots had been fired. Even though no one was hurt, a gun was found, which is why 13 Mile Road Beach and Sunny Beach were closed.
As the number of people continued to rise, Galveston Police closed 11 Mile Road Beach and Hershey Beach for safety reasons. By 5:30 p.m., all beaches were open again, and six people were arrested during the day.
A spokesman for the Galveston Police Department, Kurt Koopman, said it is hard to control these unplanned events because no one is planning them. He said that the chaos was like the city's recent Mardi Gras, which was well-organized and had a lot of people but no significant problems.
In the coming months, officials are getting ready for "Jeep Weekend" in May, which is known for having loud people.
Sheriff Jimmy Fullen of Galveston County has already said he wants to crack down on the event because he thinks it is too dangerous. "It’s just not good for the community," he stated.
In the meantime, Galveston made it clear to spring breakers this week: have fun, but don't get into trouble.
