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Posted: 8:56 PM Mar 25, 2009
Local Group Wants College Spring Break Eliminated
A local group is wanting to eliminate college Spring Break from Panama City Beach.
Reporter: Josh Gauntt Email Address: joshua.gauntt@wjhg.com  Anti-Spring Break Movement |
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29 Comments 
Panama City Beach attracts thousands of college students every year for spring break.
And with a combination of alcohol and diminished inhibitions, that fun can turn into tragedy.
Mark Canfora of Canfora Ministries in Panama City Beach and his group "Families and Friends for a Safe Panama City B"each want spring break eliminated.
"It started really, it was with the news about the 18-year-old Tuscaloosa girl that raped and thrown from the 6th floor of the sandpiper beach hotel," Canfora said.
And since then, Canfora has been hitting the streets during spring break spreading the groups messages.
"This is not just me, I'm speaking for the people of this community and the victims, the deceased that have died here that came here with hopes and dreams and they left here in body bags," Canfora said.
He says over the past 20 years, there have been more than 50 deaths, thousands of rapes and sexual assaults and nearly 50,000 police reported crimes during Spring Break on Panama City Beach.
The group says they are tired of Panama City Beach's reputation when it comes to spring break.
But there are two sides to this story. Without spring break, Panama City Beach's economy could go down the drain.
"The tourism industry.Its the number one industry that we have," Dan Rowe, Tourism Development Council president said.
Tourism officials tell us spring break is expected to bring in over 70-million dollars to the local economy.
And Rowe says the TDC promotes Panama City Beach as a safe place to come each year.
"If the tdc gets out of spring break marketing business, will spring break go away? I don't think so because spring break is driven by the kids," Rowe said.
Canfora says the TDC isn't doing it's job, but Rowe says the TDC is doing it's job and deals with issues like these every year and works with the community to try and find solutions.
The "Families and Friends 4 a Safe Panama City Beach" will hold an emergency meeting Monday, March 30th at 7p.m. at Arnold High School.
For more information, visit www.ivegothope.com
Latest Comments
Mark, you have oftened preached and prided yourself on how many souls you have helped saved. Yet, you're being given a golden opportunity to bring these "Spring Breakers" (those brothers & Sisters in Christ)that you despise,a chance to know and come to the LORD! Your fruits declare you a hypocrite, not a christian. Love these kids that GOD is bringing in your path, quit judging. Those of us who really know you and your past, know too well that you are the last person that should pass judgement on others. Quit speaking for Bay Co., you don't own property there, nor do you pay taxes there. You support your family off of your so called ministry. I attend a church in Bay Co. that only encourages Spring Breakers to join us for the word of the Lord. That is what true christians do. How are you going to feel when Bay Co. boycots your ivegothope gathering. All in Bay Co. should look your name up on "google", and discover who you really are.
Lisa, Your attitude towards rape as being a normal thing in society is very callous towards the over 1000 innocent victims of rape here in our community. As a woman you should be more concerned for these victims and less likely to minimize these girls pain and suffering. These are not normal circumstances for children to die and be raped. Read the post with Franklin Graham's take on our society. It is a sad day when murder, rape and death are taked so casually....just a s another "normal" part of our society. Money in exchange for lives? God is passing and will continue pass His judgement soon on our nation. I pray we repent and turn from our wicked, cold and uncaring ways. I salute the efforts of Mr. Canfora and plan on attending the meeting at Arnold High School Monday March 30 at 7pm. We are ready for a new day and a new time here on PCB. We as a community can choose to not have the venue and the party here. That is what Mr. Canfora and others are saying here.
TL - Nowhere do I say rape is socially acceptable nor do I imply it. Please reread my post. I said "sad, but true" and "unfortunately", It, like any crime, is a fact of life and will always happen. You're never going to have a crime rate of Zero.
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