Have fun in Corpus Christi between playing at the beach and soaking up the sun. Photo by Carrie Robertson Meyer/Third Coast Photo
Yes, you can drink on the beach in Port Aransas during Spring Break, just don’t get rowdy, said police chief Scott Burroughs. A new ordinance approved by the Port Aransas city council recently makes drinking alcohol illegal from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 6 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday, March 12-20. If you’re not bothering anyone, however, Burroughs said the police aren’t going to bother you.
“We plan to observe the no-harm, no-foul rule,” Burroughs explained at the council meeting. “If you’re not engaged in disruptive behavior on the beach, you’re probably not going to come in contact with law enforcement.”
The ordinance serves as a useful tool for officers, Burroughs said. Police will be better able to handle unruly crowds when armed with the authority to step in and stop problem drinking before it gets out of hand.
Police in Port A will also be on the lookout for texting and driving, another new ordinance recently approved by the city council.
In Corpus Christi, which has long had a hands-free phone ordinance, the Convention and Visitors Bureau was quick to respond to Port A’s drinking ban, which the bigger city does not have.
“Corpus Christi … beaches are not impacted by the recent decision to enact a Spring Break ordinance by the City of Port Aransas,” reads a media release sent out shortly after the new ordinance became public. “Locals and visitors are welcome to enjoy Corpus Christi beaches both during the Spring Break holiday and year-round.”
Both cities have plenty of experience handling Spring Break crowds, which can number into the tens of thousands, depending on the weather. Warmer-than-usual temperatures this winter has led local chambers and visitors bureaus to hope for a sunny week when students from across the state leave their studies behind for some surf and sand.
“You never know what Mother Nature’s going to do, though,” said Ashley Simper, communications director for the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Seems every year we have days that are great, days that are not, so we are preparing visitors for both this year.”
Marketing materials focus on enjoying the natural assets in the area as well as the indoor attractions such as the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay.
“Plenty of memories can be made indoors,” Simper said. “We want everybody to come here and have fun and leave with really great memories.”
Part of making Spring Break a positive experience for everyone is to follow the rules, Burroughs said. He offered some down-home advice for the coming onslaught of young visitors.
“Remember what your mother taught you,” he said. “Look both ways before you cross the street. Don’t get into a stranger’s car or go to a stranger’s room. Stay with your friends and carry identification with you, especially if you are drinking. Keep your doors locked in your room and in your cars. Have a designated driver.”
Beachgoers not wanting to risk losing their identification should make photocopies to take with them.
“We’re not out to mess with anyone,” Burroughs continued. “But we have a job to do in trying to keep the peace. It’s helpful if people let us do our jobs.”
An assortment of regional law enforcement officers will converge on the Coastal Bend to help local police do that job. Burroughs said the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverages commission are all sending extra officers to the area for the busiest days.
“We’re not out there to rain on anyone’s parade,” Burroughs reiterated. “Just don’t draw attention to yourself. Law enforcement will be pretty low-key.”
Armed with a new drinking ban ordinance, police in Port Aransas do plan to keep things under control for the health and safety of everyone, he concluded.
