WESH TWO NEWS STARTS NOW, AND WE ARE STARTING WITH A LIVE LOOK AT NEW SMYRNA BEACH, WHERE POLICE EXPECT LARGE SPRING BREAK CROWDS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS. FOR MANY, OUR LOCAL COUNTIES ARE ALREADY. SPRING BREAK IS ALSO ALREADY BEGUN. OH YEAH, AND ACCORDING TO AIRBNB, SEARCHES FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY IN ORLANDO WENT UP TODAY BY 22%. WESH TWO BREVARD COUNTY REPORTER MEGAN MORIARTY BREAKS DOWN THE BEST GAME PLAN FOR YOUR TIME OFF. SPRING BREAK MEANS SUN, SAND AND A CHANCE TO RELAX. WHILE BREVARD COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE ON SPRING BREAK JUST YET. THE AREA IS A DESTINATION FOR MANY FAMILIES AND SPRING BREAKERS. FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS, I’M JUST HANGING OUT LIKE A BEACH DAY LIKE THIS. CAROLINE ARNEY AND JULIA FLOWER GO TO FSU AND UF. THEY’RE KICKING OFF THEIR SPRING BREAK IN SATELLITE BEACH BEFORE HEADING DOWN SOUTH FOR FUN WITH FRIENDS. ALSO, ME AND MY FRIENDS. JUST LIKE ALWAYS, MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHERE EACH OTHER ARE. LIKE WE TALK ALL THE TIME. SO YEAH, YEAH. AND LIKE MAKE A PLAN BEFORE WHENEVER LIKE YOU GO OUT FOR THE DAY, LIKE JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LIKE A MEETING POINT AND YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHERE EVERYONE IS. THE FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION PUT OUT THIS GUIDANCE FOR SPRING BREAK IN THE STATE. PLAN AHEAD. SHARE YOUR ITINERARY WITH ANOTHER TRUSTED FAMILY MEMBER. STICK TOGETHER, DON’T OVERSHARE ONLINE. LEAVE YOUR VALUABLES AT HOME AND DRINK RESPONSIBLY. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SAYS THAT WATER SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SWIM NEAR A LIFEGUARD, BUT IN CASE THERE AREN’T ANY LIFEGUARDS AROUND LIKE HERE IN SATELLITE BEACH, YOU SHOULD ONLY GO INTO THE WATER UP TO ABOUT YOUR KNEES. IF YOU’RE NOT A STRONG SWIMMER. AND IF YOU’RE VISITING THE COAST, KEEP IN MIND HOUSE PARTIES INSIDE RENTAL PROPERTIES LIKE AIRBNB ARE NOT ALLOWED. DISRUPTIVE PARTIES HAVE BEEN BANNED ON AIRBNB SINCE 2020, AND WE’VE SEEN A REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF PARTIES REPORTED TO US DROPPED BY 50%. JAVIER HERNANDEZ WITH AIRBNB SAYS IF YOU HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO IS A HOST AND A GATHERING GETS OUT OF HAND. IN ADDITION TO CALLING POLICE, YOU CAN REPORT IT TO THEM. WE ACTUALLY HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT LINE THAT THEY CAN REACH OUT TO AT ANY TIME TO REPORT THESE INCIDENTS, AND WE TAKE THESE REPORTS EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY. WHETHER YOU’RE VISITING OR HAVING A STAYCATION, THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR HAVE A FUN BUT SAFE SPRING BREAK. MEGHAN MORIARTY WESH TWO NEWS AND F

New Smyrna Beach is gearing up for large spring break crowds, with many counties in Florida already experiencing the influx of visitors.According to Airbnb, searches for accommodations in Orlando increased by 22% Friday, indicating a surge in interest for the area.Spring break offers a chance for sun, sand, and relaxation, and while Brevard County schools have not yet started their break, the area remains a popular destination for families and spring breakers.Julia Flower, a student at Florida State University, said, “For the first few days, I’m just hanging out having a beach day like this.”Flower and Caroline Arney, a University of Florida student, are starting their spring break in Satellite Beach before heading south for more fun with friends.Arney and Flower emphasized the importance of staying connected, saying, “Me and my friends just, like. always know where each other are. We talk all the time. Whenever you go out for the day, make sure you have a meeting point and know where everyone is.”The Florida Sheriff’s Association has issued guidance for spring breakers in the state, advising them to plan ahead, share their itinerary with a trusted family member, stick together, avoid oversharing online, leave valuables at home, and drink responsibly.Emergency management officials stress the importance of water safety, recommending swimming near a lifeguard or, if at a beach without one, only going up to your knees if you’re not a strong swimmer.Visitors should also be aware that house parties inside rental properties like Airbnb are not allowed. Javier Hernandez from Airbnb said, “Disruptive parties have been banned on Airbnb since 2020, and we’ve seen a reduction in the rate of parties reported to us by 50%.”Hernandez added that if a neighbor who is a host has a gathering that gets out of hand, in addition to calling the police, it can be reported to Airbnb.”We actually have a neighborhood support line that they can reach out to any time to report these incidents, and we take these reports very seriously,” Hernandez said.Whether you’re visiting or enjoying a staycation, the message is clear: have a fun but safe spring break.

FLORIDA, USA —

New Smyrna Beach is gearing up for large spring break crowds, with many counties in Florida already experiencing the influx of visitors.

According to Airbnb, searches for accommodations in Orlando increased by 22% Friday, indicating a surge in interest for the area.

Spring break offers a chance for sun, sand, and relaxation, and while Brevard County schools have not yet started their break, the area remains a popular destination for families and spring breakers.

Julia Flower, a student at Florida State University, said, “For the first few days, I’m just hanging out having a beach day like this.”

Flower and Caroline Arney, a University of Florida student, are starting their spring break in Satellite Beach before heading south for more fun with friends.

Arney and Flower emphasized the importance of staying connected, saying, “Me and my friends just, like. always know where each other are. We talk all the time. Whenever you go out for the day, make sure you have a meeting point and know where everyone is.”

The Florida Sheriff’s Association has issued guidance for spring breakers in the state, advising them to plan ahead, share their itinerary with a trusted family member, stick together, avoid oversharing online, leave valuables at home, and drink responsibly.

Emergency management officials stress the importance of water safety, recommending swimming near a lifeguard or, if at a beach without one, only going up to your knees if you’re not a strong swimmer.

Visitors should also be aware that house parties inside rental properties like Airbnb are not allowed. Javier Hernandez from Airbnb said, “Disruptive parties have been banned on Airbnb since 2020, and we’ve seen a reduction in the rate of parties reported to us by 50%.”

Hernandez added that if a neighbor who is a host has a gathering that gets out of hand, in addition to calling the police, it can be reported to Airbnb.

“We actually have a neighborhood support line that they can reach out to any time to report these incidents, and we take these reports very seriously,” Hernandez said.

Whether you’re visiting or enjoying a staycation, the message is clear: have a fun but safe spring break.