SARASOTA, Fla. — Counties across Florida are on high alert in readiness for millions of spring break tourists expect to descend on the state over the next few weeks.
The early waves of vacationers have already begun to arrive in places like Sarasota's Siesta Key.
On a normal day, the area is already busy, but the impact of the early spring break travelers is already visible with several full parking lots. Several people told 10 Tampa Bay it was taking them upward of 30 minutes to find a parking spot.
"We did not expect the beach to be this busy during the week though so that was a surprise," said Chris Polzer, visiting from Wisconsin.
"I've been here for 45 minutes, circling around, along with about 200 other cars and there's no place to park," said Lester Zehr, a tourist, from Indiana.
That type of volume of traffic, multiplied, that law enforcement and area municipalities have started to prepare for. Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies and other area law enforcement have increased their visibility on beaches and at parking lots to deter crime and underage drinking.
"We do occasionally get the drunken and disorderly, some fights going on behind the lifeguard stands and we're visible and respond to any of those situations," Sgt. Michael Jackson said.
Expect to see more patrols in the coastal communities including on horseback.
"We will do radar. traffic enforcement will do seatbelt enforcement will do parking enforcement for anybody illegally parked on the busy days," Jackson said.
Last March, more than 500,000 passengers traveled through the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport alone.
Sarasota County Parks and Recreations Department has brought in extra beach attendants to help with the expected crowd.
"We've added shifts and we've also extended shifts attendants. They are the folks who you'll see out there really for public health and safety because they're keeping things clean and clutter-free in our parks, and on our beaches, and in our restroom" said Kristie Lever of Sarasota County Parks and Rec.
Lifeguard shifts have also been extended. They would now end their day at 6:45 p.m. instead of the normal 4:45 p.m.
"We know that spring break is a season so it'll be good to have that extra two hours on those weekends," Lever said.
"Of the things to remember is you have got to allot for a lot of time just because of traffic," Polzer said.
"Definitely lock your vehicles take your belongings and wear sunscreen," Jackson said.
To combat the heavy traffic, officials advise vacationers to walk or bike to the beach. Tourists and beachgoers can also take the beach trolleys, transit buses, or ride-share for longer distances.
They also urge that if you must drive anywhere plan to head out early and avoid distracted driving especially involving cell phone use while driving like texting and video calling.
In the meantime, Gov. Ron Desantis has doubled down on his promise to keep law and order in the state during spring break. This development occurred after the city of Miami Beach issued a now-viral video Break Up with Spring Break." The city said after three consecutive years of Spring Break violence they are done dissuading revelers from visiting
Officials have now implemented a set of month-long security measures like $100 parking fees and closing sidewalk cafes on busy weekends.
While in Miami Beach on Tuesday, Desantis said the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would be deploying extra manpower to popular spring break spots.
"Make no mistake about it, if you're coming here in order to enjoy Florida, enjoy to have a good time fine. If you're coming for these other reasons, if you're committing crimes, causing havoc, you are going to pay the price, and we will hold you accountable because that's what we do here," Desantis said.
The governor's office said at least 17 law enforcement agencies have asked for some extra assistance from the state this spring break.