Bill would give police leverage during unsanctioned events

DAYTONA BEACH — For decades Daytona Beach has been propped up by annual special events — the Daytona 500, Bike Week and spring break — and the community, including law enforcement, have adapted to the influx of revelers. But recent years have brought a new kind of event, in some cases hastily organized and in many corners of Volusia County, unwelcome.

Two Volusia County lawmakers are concerned about unsanctioned special events, such as the Daytona Truck Meet of recent years, that have prompted lawlessness and disrupted neighborhoods.

State Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, this week filed a bill that gives law enforcement the authority to designate special event zones and enforce enhanced penalties for noncriminal traffic violations.

Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, has introduced an identical bill in the Senate.

The bill also gives law enforcement officers the authority to impound violators’ vehicles, while also providing communities with “enforceable,” enhanced penalties for violations of noise and sound ordinances.

The Daytona Truck Meet last June drew some 50,000 people, gridlocking traffic and requiring Daytona Beach Police to employ 300 officers, some working double shifts, for a weekend overtime bill of $174,000. Another “popup” event on Memorial Day weekend 2020, promoted as “Orlando Invades Daytona,” drew partiers to the Daytona Beach boardwalk area. That Saturday, police closed eastbound bridges entering the Beachside for about four hours.

“After the truck event, we got together with law enforcement from across the county, the city and the sheriff ’s office and walked through the issue. At that meeting, they came forward to bring their ideas to make this work, and that was necessary to provide them the flexibility and ability to respond to events that were popping up in real time,” Leek said. “This was the culmination.”

His bill allows law enforcement officials to designate certain roads or areas as “special event zones.” Inside those zones, penalties for noncriminal traffic infractions can be doubled, and officers will be authorized to impound vehicles of those committing traffic infractions.

The bill also prohibits sound amplification in special event zones that are adjoining private property, while giving police the authority to enforce occupancy limits on private or public property in the zones.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said he was part of a group that met with Leek last summer to discuss possible remedies. He read the bill Monday afternoon.

“I’m extremely grateful to Rep. Leek for his interest and for his support in pushing this bill forward . ... I think this is a great thing.”

Andrew Gant, a spokesman for the Volusia County Sheriff ’s Office, said Sheriff Mike Chitwood supports the legislation, as well.