VIRGINIA BEACH — The Virginia Beach Police Department said it will pursue “all legal means” to prevent or shut down several unsanctioned events next week at the Oceanfront and other parts of the city.
The events — part of “DMV Senior Week” — are planned to be a week of ticketed parties each night starting Tuesday. Each night has a theme, including “Wet N Wild Party” and “Project X.” Another, called The Beach Week, was planned to start June 19. Social media posts about the events have circulated online for weeks.
Police said Friday the department have contacted the promoters about getting official permits for the events but “attempts have been ignored.”
“As a result, these non-permitted events will not take place and VBPD will proactively enforce all applicable laws and ordinances regarding special events,” the statement says.
Online ads for the parties don’t list a specific location, rather a ticket purchase is required to learn the address. Prices ranged from $100 for the week of events to $15 an event.
The police department “will pursue all legal means” to recover the cost of extra law enforcement and other emergency services caused by the events, according to the police statement.
Last week, Police Chief Paul Neudigate told the City Council he’s concerned about a recent surge in unruly crowds and a proliferation of firearms at the Oceanfront. The chief wants the ability to initiate a midnight curfew when needed and other measures to curb “pop-up” events.
The City Council will discuss the possible next steps publicly soon, Mayor Bobby Dyer said.
“We’re weighing the options,” the mayor said on Friday. “We’re looking at best practices in other cities to see what works.”
Virginia Beach recently promoted a new public service announcement and social media marketing campaign, “Good Vibes Only: Virginia Beach.” Its message centers on the city being open to positive energy not bad behavior.
Hoteliers and other business owners have already expressed reservations about a curfew, which would apply to everyone, not just minors.
“Whatever we do, we don’t want to hurt business,” Dyer said.
Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com; Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com