The new year brings a new Spring Break with new college students, but the City of South Padre Island plans to take the same approach as last year to keep visitors safe.
SPI Police Chief Claudine O’Carroll said the city has increased the number of law enforcement officers this year.
“We hire from outside the area to support our law enforcement needs here on the Island,” O’Carroll said. “And we include our state and federal law enforcement partners.”
She said they manage an emergency operation center the week of Spring Break.
“The whole idea behind that is this is where all agencies can meet and collaborate daily about their security plans and any issues that arise during that time period,” O’Carroll said.
She said the police department will have a crime victim liaison set up should any kind of situation arise in which someone needs assistance or guidance.
O’Carroll also said traffic control personnel will be at major locations and intersections to facilitate movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic to make sure everyone is staying safe.
Asked what tips she has for college students who will visit the Island, O’Carroll replied, “I think one of the biggest things is stay with a buddy, you know, stick with your friends if you’re out and about.”
She also encourages students to use the Island [Metro], practice water safety, keep valuables somewhere safe and never leave your drinks unattended.
Fire Chief Jim Pigg said the main thing is for students to make sure they have situational awareness.
“We understand that people come out and they want to have a good time and they want to drink and let loose and, you know, cut loose from their studies,” Pigg said. “And we want to make sure that everybody that comes over goes home safe.”
Chiefs O’Carroll and Pigg look forward to a safe and productive Spring Break.
“We want everybody to have a good time and come out and enjoy the concerts and everything that the Island has to offer,” Pigg said. “Again, situational awareness is just understanding what you’re doing and where you’re going and just being safe.”
During the same week, some UTRGV students will participate in Alternative Spring Break by volunteering at various locations across the Rio Grande Valley.
Alternative Spring Break is an opportunity for students to give back to the community, according to Vanessa Sandoval, program coordinator for Leadership and Social Change.
She said volunteering opportunities this year will be in different locations across Edinburg, Harlingen and Brownsville from March 9 through 11.
Sandoval said one location will be the Good Neighbor Settlement House in Brownsville, where students will help with the food bank.
“Some of the opportunities will also be outside,” she said. “So, in [the] McAllen Nature Center, we’ll be out there, I’m not sure exactly what it is, but more than likely it’s going to be something like doing yardwork or helping the nature center pick up trash, whatever they may ask us to do that day. And the other is going to be the Salvation Army. We’re going to go ahead and volunteer at their location in McAllen as well.”
Sandoval said any student is welcome to register, however space is limited.
“It is a completely free opportunity for students to join us,” she said. “We have, only because we’re providing transportation, food and lodging, we’re [accepting] 15 students.”
For more information about Alternative Spring Break or to sign up, visit VLink.
Para la versión en español de este artículo, oprima aquí.
