Miami-Dade police investigating after video shows boat crew popping balloons into water

MIAMI – Detectives with the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Illegal Dumping Unit are investigating after video surfaced this week of a boat crew popping balloons while on the vessel, authorities confirmed to Local 10 News on Wednesday.

The video sparked outrage among environmental advocates.

It’s the way that these people disposed of the balloons that is contributing to the trash in South Florida’s waters.

A South Florida boat dealership posted the video, which shows a person popping balloons on the boat’s rail one by one following an event.

Many of the balloons became loose and went overboard into the water.

Another video shows the rubber balloon debris floating in the water.

All of this reportedly happened at the Bayshore Landing Marina in Coconut Grove on Tuesday afternoon.

The damage the balloons can cause to South Florida’s marine wildlife is catastrophic, and Miami-Dade police confirm that it is illegal to dump balloons in the ocean.

Ad

It’s unclear, however, whether the people seen popping the balloons in the video would face criminal charges or fines.

“Detectives are currently working the case and are following all leads,” Detective Luis Sierra told Local 10 News in an email. “Protecting our environment and our marine life is a shared responsibility.”