Fights erupt on Pensacola Beach

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. - More than a dozen people were arrested this weekend on Pensacola Beach. Deputies say as graduates from Mobile head across the state line, more fights erupt.

In April 2008, large fights broke out on Pensacola Beach. A deputy was assaulted, and several people were injured.

This weekend, with graduates from Mobile mixing in, deputies were afraid that the same situation could happen again.

Deputies say on Sunday, things again started to get out of hand.

Fourteen people were arrested for offenses ranging from fighting to driving without a license. Deputy Bain Custer said, "One situation was someone threw some money and everybody started pushing and crowding to get money."

Rachel Riley and her two friends were at the beach yesterday when the crowds started to get out of control. She said, "It was couple fights that broke out, but not like everybody fighting."

Deputies were worried the fights would continue into the evening, so they closed the beach at 5:00 p.m.

People that were on the beach causing problems, don't think that's fair.

Riley said, "They block off so they won't ride around, they cut it off so they could get away from beach. We were trying to party and they shut us down, and we weren't doing nothing."

Unfortunately, deputies say that's often the case. A few will ruin the fun for everyone else.

Deputy Custer said, "It had the potential to go south in a matter of seconds, I would say to those people, put them in our situation and see how they would handle it."

Close to 40 deputies were on the beach Sunday and now they're adding even more, until folks realize fighting won't be tolerated.

Those crowds also left a huge mess. The parking lots were completely covered with trash.

Workers with the Island Authority spent hours last night picking up every last piece.