54 spring breakers arrested at Savannah beach party amid booze-filled brawls, beach completely trashed
Tybee Island’s annual spring break celebration, “Orange Crush,” lived up to its boisterous reputation this year. Local law enforcement grappled with the energetic crowds, making 54 arrests and issuing over 100 citations for disorderly conduct.
The partiers weren’t shy about leaving their mark. Authorities recovered stolen weapons and a vehicle, and beach cleanup crews removed mountains of trash left behind by the revelers. Videos circulating online captured fistfights erupting amongst the throngs on the beach, AJC reported.
Despite the chaos, Tybee Island officials expressed cautious optimism. Compared to previous years, the number of arrests decreased, thanks in part to increased security measures. Over 100 additional officers from various agencies bolstered the island’s small police force.
Even Savannah State University students, whose campus is nearby, pitched in to help clean up the mess, WJCL reported. The university severed ties with the event in the early 1990s due to safety concerns, but the tradition has persisted.
While acknowledging the remaining issue of litter, Tybee Island Mayor Brian West praised the community’s preparedness and thanked volunteers for their assistance. He emphasized that a large portion of the crowd behaved responsibly and enjoyed their spring break.
Savannah, Georgia, also experienced an influx of spring breakers, prompting temporary street closures downtown. However, Mayor Van Johnson, a former organizer of the Orange Crush events, reported a successful weekend thanks to established protocols.
Johnson, an alumnus of Savannah State, even reconnected with some students and earned the nickname “OC OG” – a testament to his past involvement with the event.
