Miami Beach may offer lessons for Jax Beach violence

As detectives in Jacksonville Beach ask for help solving the string of shootings on St. Patrick’s Day evening, leaders and residents are wondering how to prevent violence like this from happening in the future.

Police released frantic videos of people scattering after one of the shootings just before 8 on Sunday. A 21-year-old man died, and three more men were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Detectives believe two of the injured were shooting at each other.

News4JAX looked at how Miami Beach handled violence last year and a strategy they say has been successful in preventing crime this year.

In Miami Beach last spring break, video shows people scattering after a shooting. There were several fights, at least two murders, and nearly 500 arrests.

Contrast that with this year, when officials say things are much quieter: no homicides and no major issues. But why? City officials point to an aggressive campaign to break up with spring break.

“It’s not us, it’s you,” actors said in a comical and controversial public service announcement that’s since gone viral. “We just want different things. Our idea of a good time is relaxing at the beach, hitting up the spa, or checking out a new restaurant. You just want to get drunk in public and ignore laws.”

City leaders launched the strategy before flocks of tourists and partygoers descended on the world-renowned beaches and accommodations.

“This was a very robust plan, and it was intentionally meant to target two things — public safety and the quality of life for our residents,” said Officer Christopher Bess, a spokesperson for the Miami Beach Police Department.

He told News4JAX the goal was to push out unlawful behavior but not keep out peaceful beachgoer. To do that — the city:

• Closed parking garages and imposed a $30 flat fee parking rate for nonresidents.
• Doubled the towing fee for nonresidents to $516.
• Closed certain beach entrances
• Made liquor stores shut down at 8 p.m. and this past weekend put a curfew in place from midnight to 6 a.m.
• Flooded the streets with officers from 18 different agencies

He says it’s made a huge difference for visitors, residents, and businesses.

However, not all businesses and visitors are happy.

The owners of 3 nightclubs have sued over the curfew, claiming it’s costing them big money. A judge threw out their push to have the curfew removed

“We want our local economy to thrive,” Bess said, when asked about the impact the strict measures had on the community. “Miami Beach is responsible for a large percentage of the South Florida’s local economy, but we must prioritize public safety and quality of life. And the irony of it is we have business owners who have contacted our mayor’s office and us as well, saying that they did better in revenue this year because others felt safe enough to come out and enjoy themselves and dine out compared to last year when around us time, we had to declare a state of emergency.”

Some 350 miles north in Jacksonville Beach, city leaders are discussing what to do after Sunday night’s violence, when three shootings occurred in less than an hour, leaving one man dead and three more injured. The bar district was extra busy because of spring break, St. Patrick’s Day and the Players golf tournament.

Bess said his agency’s plan appears to be working and people across the state are taking notice.

“I’ll state that the state of Florida was very, very helpful when it came down to providing resources. We’re partners. (Florida Fish and Wildlife) was also included in our operational plan, federal agencies were included. So as a law enforcement community, we do provide resources to other municipalities and counties throughout our state.”

News4JAX checked the numbers.

Miami Beach police arrested 343 people citywide from March 1 to March 17 last year. This year they arrested 306 in that same time period. Across the city, that’s an 11% decline.

Jacksonville Beach police officers have joined with the FBI to investigate the shootings, creating a website for witnesses to submit pictures, videos, and information about the shootings. It’s FBI.gov/jaxbeach-shootings.

You can also call the police department or First Coast Crime Stoppers.