JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Beach police agencies joined forces with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol to crack down on drunken driving with operation "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."
Beaches police agencies will join forces tonight w/ JSO & FHP to conduct a saturation patrol aimed at identifying impaired drivers. DUI violations will be strictly enforced#DriveSoberOrGetPulledOver #OneTeam #OneMission@AtlanticBeachPD @JaxBeachPD @JSOPIO @FHPJacksonville pic.twitter.com/HBt0OI4srE
— Neptune Beach Police (@NeptBchPolice) July 21, 2018
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Officers could be spotted up and down A1A patrolling, making sure people were not drinking and driving.
Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville Beaches were being patrolled Saturday night as officers checked for impaired drivers.
"I usually ride around 3rd Street, probably around 10 or 11 (p.m.), and I see at least three or four drunk people," said Baron Gentry, who lives at Jax Beach.
Gentry said he's glad to have a heavy police presence, after recent murders sparked safety concerns in the area.
"I think that, for the most part, you can walk and talk and enjoy, hang out," former beach resident Kate Scott said. "For the most part, it's a safe environment. I don't think you have to be worried you're going to encounter danger around the corner."
The Jacksonville Beach City Council is proposing beach bars stop serving alcohol at midnight. So far, there are mixed reactions to the proposal, but most agree the DUI crackdown is necessary.