Miami Beach ‘breaking up’ with wild spring breakers, announces strict measures to curb violence
Miami Beach is cracking down on out-of-control spring breakers and will roll out strict measures aimed at curbing the type of violence that has marred past celebrations.
The popular seaside city even launched a new messaging campaign ahead of the March festivities — declaring that “Miami Beach is breaking up with spring break.”
“Expect curfews, security searches and bag checks at beach access points, early beach entrance closures, DUI checkpoints, bumper-to-bumper traffic, road closures and arrests for drug possession and violence,” the city warned.
Officials held a press conference on Thursday outlining the city’s strategy for dealing with the expected influx of revelers, the Miami Herald reported.
“Come here, enjoy, but don’t come here looking for trouble,” said Mayor Steven Meiner. “We’ve had enough.”
Meiner said he was confident in the city’s safety plan despite not enacting measures like using metal detectors — which he had reportedly pushed for.
The new rules — passed by the city last month — are likely to make the trip to Miami Beach less enticing for spring breakers but could impact businesses reliant on the thousands that flock there each March.
Miami Beach has established a flat $100 parking rate in city garages and parking lots, and the closure of sidewalk cafes on Ocean Drive during the weekends of March 7-10 and March 14-17, according to the newspaper.
Police Chief Wayne Jones told reporters that tourists could expect a larger police presence “than you’ve ever seen before.”
“It will be difficult to get here to our city, and once you get here, the expectation will be that you play by the rules,” Jones said.
A city spokesperson told the Post that while the measures could impact businesses “in the short-term,” it needs “to act in the long-term interests of our businesses, residents and visitors.”
While no curfews have been announced, city Manager Alina Hudak would need to declare a state of emergency before one could go into effect, according to the Herald.
City officials have also promised “heightened police enforcement for consumption of alcohol in public, drug possession and violent behavior” and have even repealed an option making low-level marijuana possession a civil offense, the paper reported.
“If you are looking to cause problems, do not come to Miami Beach,” Jones said in a statement. “Our message is simple: we want people to enjoy their time here, but will not tolerate the behavior we have witnessed in the past few years.”
Last March, two deadly shootings broke out on the island’s main drive within just 36 hours.
