Panama City Beach city council plans to discuss ordinance about beach flag system

It's ok to come to Panama City Beach to have fun in the sun, but it's important to follow the rules.

"Double red flags means no swimming. No swimming. We ride up and down and tell you to get out," said Panama City Beach Patrol Allison Marshall.

However, even with added patrol and the city issuing a "no entry warning", people still violate those rules, leading to multiple drownings.

Stacey Redmon lost his life saving a mother and her child struggling in the Gulf on a double red flag day.

"I have to raise my children by myself now because of people not following the rules," said Stacey's Wife Alisha Redmon. "There needs to be consequences and people need to be held up to that."

The city is planning to discuss an ordinance that if passed will allow city officials to give out citations to people who break the rules.

"A lifeguard would be able to do that," said Panama City Beach City Manager Mario Gisbert. "A Beach and Surf person would be able to do that and anyone of our firefighters would be additional people that would help enforce keeping people out of the water."

Gisbert said the fine could cost hundreds of dollars.

"Our fines are already defined within our code. Those codes are already predetermined. It's $100, then escalates to $250 and goes up to $500," said Gisbert.

If violators still don't comply with warnings and get back in the water after being given a fine, then the police can arrest them.

"The goal is compliance," said Gisbert. "The goal is not a citation. You've already lost if you have to issue a citation. If you can get everybody out of the water you've done exactly what you need."

The Panama City Beach city council will discuss the proposed ordinance Thursday.