Volusia Sheriff enacts zero-tolerance special event zone for unpermitted ‘Orange Crush’ event

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has enacted a Special Event Zone designation for what’s expected to be a “potentially disruptive” event over the weekend.

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The “Orange Crush” tour is promoted on social media as an annual “beach party and networking” series of events attended primarily by students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

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In a cease and desist letter sent directly to the event’s organizer, Sheriff Chitwood describes Orange Crush as an “unpermitted and unsanctioned” event that puts an added strain on local law enforcement and other public services.

Under a Florida law passed in 2022, local sheriffs can designate a particular area as a “special event zone” in response to an unpermitted activity or event promoted through social media.

Chitwood warns that people within the special event zone should expect zero-tolerance for any violations and strict enforcement of all laws.

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Fines for violations committed within the special zone will be doubled. People who commit traffic violations within the special zone could also have their vehicle impounded for up to 72-hours.

The special zone went into effect at 3 p.m. Friday and will remain in place for as long as Sheriff Chitwood deems it necessary.

In his letter to the event promoter, Chitwood warns that the sheriff’s office may also attempt to recover the costs and fees associated with providing additional law enforcement and other emergency services for the event.

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The boundaries for the special event zone are formed by Highway A1A from Granada Blvd. south to Dunlawton Ave. then west on Dunlawton Ave. to South Peninsula Drive, then north on South Peninsula Drive until it becomes North Halifax Ave., continuing north to Granada Blvd. then east on Granada back to A1A. It also includes the entire beach area within the zone.

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See a map of the zone below:

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