VIRGINIA BEACH — When word of an impromptu party at the Oceanfront spreads on social media, police have scrambled to control unruly crowds.
In an effort to manage large-scale gatherings, the Virginia Beach Police Department wants authorization to establish special enforcement zones where officers would have broader authority to clear people from an area, impose curfews, issue citations and recover costs from event organizers.
Police would have to give 24 hours notice of intent to enforce the enhanced area and define where it is and when it will take place. Granting police such authority would require an amendment to Virginia code.
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Last Tuesday, the City Council approved its wish list of legislation for the 2026 General Assembly that includes the request for “pop-up” event zones.
“Across the country, tourist destinations are facing a growing crisis: how to maintain public safety and essential government services in an era where anyone can use social media to rapidly organize large-scale gatherings,” the request says. “Again and again, cities and towns popular with visitors have been blindsided by well-intentioned but unpermitted events that spiral out of control—often with dangerous consequences.”
The request specifically cites events that unfolded during College Beach Weekend this year. Virginia Beach police made 53 arrests, filed over 200 charges, and confiscated 28 firearms while responding to multiple “chaotic stampedes triggered by fears of gunfire.” Most of those arrested were men in their early 20s or teenagers from Hampton Roads, according to police.
College Beach Weekend is an informal and unstructured event, usually at the end of April, when students from nearby historically Black colleges and universities visit the area for a few days before final exams. The Virginian-Pilot previously reported that police data has shown that generally, crime reported over College Beach Weekend is similar to what happens during a busy summer holiday weekend.
In June, Police Chief Paul Neudigate said an increased police presence isn’t sufficient in the resort area. He asked the City Council to support new strategies to squelch unmanageable crowds and a proliferation of firearms.
The chief cited several resort beach cities along the East Coast that are cracking down on spring break crowds, including Ocean City, Maryland, and Miami Beach, Florida. Those states have enacted legislation empowering local governments to address spontaneous social media-driven events.
The measures include the authority to impose curfews for unaccompanied minors, limit occupancy on public and private properties, increase penalties for traffic violations and recuperate costs from event organizers for the additional burden on public services, according to the city.
A pop-up is defined in the request as an unpermitted temporary activity or event organized or promoted via a social media platform where more than 50 people are expected to attend. The wording as presented in the legislative agenda does not address how the enhanced authority would address First Amendment-protected activity such as an unpermitted protest.
“We would work with the General Assembly to craft legislation that limits the use of the zones to when there is a risk to the health or safety of the public,” said Brent McKenzie, the city’s legislative affairs director, in an email. “The enhanced authority requested through this legislation is not meant to impede one’s right to protest.”
The city requests that the General Assembly provide the authority for a locality to create a pop-up zone: a contiguous area on or along a roadway, street, or highway which is designated by warning signs.
The term includes all parking structures, parking lots, and any other property — public or private — immediately adjacent to or along the designated area.
Localities would have to provide a minimum of 24 hours’ public notice before a pop-up event zone is activated. A dedicated webpage would detail all enhanced enforcement measures, including any reduced speed limits and curfew times for unaccompanied minors, which could be as early as 6 p.m. after which a minor would have to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Signage would be posted to mark the ingress and egress points of the zone. Traffic fines would be doubled within the zone with fines not to exceed $500 per violation.
Next steps for the city on the legislative agenda include communicating its contents to state delegates who represent Virginia Beach and requesting legislators to patron bills. The 2026 General Assembly session begins Jan. 14.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
