Media stories about Clearwater Beach crime too easily conflate criminal incidents. A recent Tampa Bay Times headline read: “More Partiers, More Problems For Clearwater.”
Yes, reported crimes are up–along with a hefty increase in the number of visitors. In fact, nearly 1 million out-of-towners now come calling annually.
To insiders, however, the issue is not so much about “partiers.” They come with the territory. It’s more drunks, more fights and more morning-after hook-up and tattoo remorse. That’s why police patrols have been noticeably beefed up.
Everyone acknowledges that the quieter days of mom-and-pop motel ambience are gone. What’s worrisome to city officials is the uptick in incidents involving guns.
Those aren’t the “partiers” referenced in headlines. Those are the thugs who didn’t come for spring break hijinks or some vintage gulf-front R&R. That’s the real concern, the ones who could undermine “partier” tourism.