GALVESTON, Texas – Dozens of troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety arrived on Bolivar Peninsula Tuesday, two days ahead of Jeep Weekend 2026, sending a clear message to the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the area May 14-17.
After years of violence — including a deadly shooting in 2024 — authorities say this year’s enforcement effort is serious, visible and already underway.
Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen was direct about what he wants — and what he won’t tolerate.
“We want people to come down and enjoy themselves. We don’t want all the rowdies coming down here shooting, kidnapping, sexually assaulting and running over our kids who are playing on the beaches. So we’re going to do everything we can to deter that,” Fullen said.
Troopers who arrived Tuesday were immediately assigned living accommodations.
“They will go over to Bolivar right now. They will get assigned their living accommodations, and then they will go out and start working their shift,” Fullen said.
For longtime residents, the stepped-up presence is a welcome sight. Donald Mallet, who has lived on the peninsula since 1990, said last year’s enforcement effort proved the approach can work.
“It was a very controlled deal last year. It took a lot of manpower to do it, but it was well planned,” Mallet said.
Business owner Christian Williams said he understands the tradeoff — even if it stings a little.
“It’s one weekend. These are the best weekends, I believe, to come down to the peninsula when it’s not 108 degrees, and it’s a shame that we have to lose one. But it is making what was a problem less of a problem,” Williams said.
What to know before you head to Bolivar this weekend
Authorities have put several rules and restrictions in place for the event. No ATVs, golf carts or UTVs will be allowed on the beach. A three-mile event zone will be established with one entrance and one exit.
A checkpoint will also be in place on Highway 87.
“We do have a checkpoint like we did last year. We’re not going to disclose when we’re going to open that checkpoint, but there is going to be a checkpoint, and everybody who comes down Highway 87 is subject to it,” Fullen said.
Anyone wanting beach access outside the event zone will need a beach parking sticker permit. Those can be purchased at grocery stores throughout Crystal Beach or from vendors circulating through the area selling them directly.
Additional rules in effect for the weekend include:
- No glass containers
- Speed limit of 15 mph on the beach
- No reckless driving
- No littering
- No driving on the dunes
- No bonfires
- Pets must be on a leash
- Open container laws apply to all vehicles
Last year, more than 500 law enforcement officers were deployed for Jeep Weekend. This year, that number is just over 300, but authorities say early deployment and a coordinated strategy are designed to make up the difference.