A Florida beach held a massive Easter service on Sunday days after Spring Break violence and arrests in the area.
More than 400 people appeared at Daytona Beach for a Catholic Easter service. Days prior, the beach was the site of a drunken "takeover." Police had to intervene when violence happened at the area. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood spoke out about having to step in after Spring Break got out of control.
Easter service goers pointed out that they gathered together as a large group without violence.
"Right here, what we just celebrated, was just a large group of people who are wanting to do the right thing," said Jim Lally. "The kids come in and act unruly, and I think it's more self-centered. It's not thinking for the community as a whole. So this is just wonderful."
He believes those from Spring Break need to do some praying.
Spring Break Violence
"You throw those same kids into an environment like what we just saw [during Sunday's service and] ... I think their behaviors would be a bit different. So I encourage them to wake up during family time instead of after midnight," he said. "There's a handful of spring breakers that are just complete idiots, and Mike Chitwood should lock 'em up and ban 'em from the city. I just don't wanna see it."
After Spring Break got out of control, the sheriff imposed a quarantine zone for partying. Authorities implemented harsher fines for those caught. Still, they ended up arresting more than 100 people.
Locals like Barb Wamsley praised the efforts to clean up the beaches.
"I walked around the day after, and there were police everywhere and good security and everything," she said. "I think a lot of those people that came in just don't realize that — like, this isn't where you just get to come in and take over our city and act like fools. When people think of Daytona Beach, they think of party, party, party ... but then you've got all these different things in the community that people can enjoy."
I guess they can all breathe a sigh of relief. At least until summer break comes.
