Shaky start to spring break in SWFL

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.- A shaky start to spring break in Southwest Florida. Deputies are stepping up patrols after a weekend of trouble on Fort Myers Beach.

Through the traffic and over the bridge, to Fort Myers Beach spring breakers go.

“It’s negative three back home. Coming here is just a nice little break from everything,” said one spring breaker.

They’re already out in full force, taking over resorts like the Lani Kai.

“My parents came to the Lani Kai back in the day, so figured we might as well carry on that tradition,” said Jayma Nihart.

With spring break tradition, comes lots and lots of drinking.

“Have a few drinks, enjoy the sun, try to stay out of trouble,” said another vacationer.

But trouble is something that has already hit the beach.

Over the weekend, Lee County deputies used a taser to detain at least one person after she became too intoxicated and resisted arrest.

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers says on Sunday alone, 10 people were arrested on the beach.

The sheriff’s office has increased patrols.

“There’s a lot of cops everywhere. I mean it makes me feel safe if anything,” said Nihart.

But it’s not just college kids. According to Crime Stoppers, there’s more teenagers drinking at a younger age.
Authorities are developing a campaign to curb the problem this spring break.

Resorts like the Lani Kai say they’re doing everything they can to make sure things stay under control.

“We’ve been the spring break capital down here for a long, long time. So, we know what to expect and how to deal with it,” said Lani Kai manager Larry Puccia.