Area law enforcement officials say they will be beefing up their beach patrols in Charlotte and Sarasota counties as part of a statewide effort to crack down on underage drinking and drug use during spring break.

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said additional patrols will also be checking places where young people tend to “hang out” in Charlotte County, like the Port Charlotte Town Center mall. He said the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office also will be targeting smoking, including marijuana and synthetic marijuana.