During Port Aransas’ bustling Spring Break, local police work tirelessly to ensure safety, with community volunteers providing crucial support and meals to officers.

PORT ARANSAS, Texas — Port Aransas is a popular spring break destination, but while visitors are relaxing on the beach, local police are working overtime to keep things safe, and volunteers are supporting them.

Port Aransas Police Department Patrol Sgt. Jonathan Haber said the goal is simple: be visible, prevent problems, and respond quickly.

“We’re giving them 100% every time we hit the streets to keep the community and the vacationing public safe,” Haber said.

During the first weekend of spring break in Port Aransas, there have been:

“So if you’re a minor in possession or you’re driving recklessly or drinking and driving, anything that’s going to draw attention to that negative behavior, it is being enforced and strictly enforced,” Haber said. “We’re working along with our partners — DPS, Parks and Wildlife — to accomplish that goal: just to keep everybody safe on the beach.”

While officers patrol the beaches and streets, others are making sure they don’t miss a meal.

“To serve 100 people, and then we also are making the vegetarian option to serve about 30 other people that didn’t like the meat sauce,” Paul Jackson said.

The Jacksons are one of many groups cooking meals throughout spring break. This is their fourth year, and they don’t plan on stopping.

“We are property managers, and we depend on them to help keep our guests safe and help keep us safe,” Sean Jackson said. “So we just want to give back a little bit to them. We know they’re overworked; they don’t always have the best days during spring break, so it’s nice to have a hot meal and snacks for them.”

Haber said the support doesn’t go unnoticed.

“So that’s a huge morale boost, because we’re working consecutive days — six, seven, eight days in a row — and to come in for dinner at 6 o’clock or have lunch provided for us by community members who have done it year after year just shows tremendous support,” Haber said. “We try to give that back by having a professional police department to get back to them.”

It’s not too late to support Port Aransas first responders, email (I’m waiting for her to text me email)