Action News learned dozens of people were given citations and more than 20 people were arrested on the Fourth of July at all three local beaches.
Jacksonville Beach police arrested 19 people on charges that included DUI and other alcohol- and drug-related offenses.
“I mean it’s for our protection,” Jacksonville Beach resident Kelly Valladares said. “It’s very rowdy out here. Crazy. A lot of traffic.”
Neptune Beach police arrested five people on various charges, including driving without a valid driver’s license and disorderly conduct.
Action News spoke with UNF senior Lane Pittman earlier this week after he was arrested after playing the national anthem on his guitar for a large crowd in Neptune Beach.
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Police said Pittman was given a notice to appear for disturbing the peace and was not taken into custody.
“The man’s being patriotic and he gets arrested,” Pittman’s friend Trey Hubbard said. “That’s crazy. You got people who are drinking and driving. People who are fighting and other stuff. You could be taking care of that.”
Jacksonville Beach handed out 25 traffic citations and 33 parking tickets.
Atlantic Beach police issued eight traffic citations and 11 parking tickets.
Neptune Beach issued eight traffic citations.
Neptune Beach Police Chief David Sembach said the number of citations and arrests was not out of the ordinary for a summer weekend day.