Spring break is here and our Walton County Sheriff’s Office has a message for parents of high school students visiting the Emerald Coast.

The last three years the Sheriff’s Office’s total arrests during college and high school spring break have declined. However, the amount of juvenile arrests has increased.

Over the last several years, the Sheriff’s Office has seen a large growth in the amount of unsupervised juveniles in South Walton during spring break.

As a result, the Sheriff’s Office drafted a letter and sent it out to the departments of education in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.

[TIP: Check out this list of when schools are out for Spring Break.]

“The letter is an effort to inform parents of our enforcement policies during their trip to Walton County,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson.

Deputies with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office will continue to enforce a zero tolerance policy for individuals caught underage drinking or any other illegal behavior during their stay.

The letter asks that parents do not leave juvenile children unsupervised for long periods of time. It also encourages parents to make sure they can contact them if they are separated in effort to better serve their son or daughter should they need assistance.

“Walton County Sheriff’s Office is excited for the season and we hope you enjoy your stay on our beautiful beaches,” Adkinson wrote in the letter. “We just ask that you do so safely and responsibly.”

Check out this 30A Facebook Live interview with Sheriff Adkinson about Spring Break:

For more information, visit the Sheriff’s Office website.