City of Miami Beach officials double-down on strict code of enforcement for Spring Breakers – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – The City of Miami Beach is enforcing stringent measures to address the disruptive crowds that converge in the city each year for spring break, causing chaos and disorder.
The Mayor, Miami Beach City Commission, Police, and city managers say March 13th though the 16th and March 20th to the 23rd are expected to generate the largest spring break crowds. Now, they’re joining forces and cracking down on spring breakers.
They are set to increase police and sheriff presence, DUI checkpoints, limit beach access hours, diverting traffic flow, forbidding sidewalk seating, and more.
This comes on the heels of the newly release public service campaign titled Reality Check which will reinforce the message that Miami Beach is not a party destination.
According to police, during last year’s spring break there were roughly 500 arrest, dozens of firearms confiscated, over 7,000 traffic citations, and two deadly shootings. Though, thanks to last year’s spring break crack down, police said, the number of arrests were lower in comparison to previous years while hotel occupancy went up.
Officials have not changed their tune, saying this year their priority is the preventing mayhem and ensuring the safety of residents.
“For those folks who think they’re going to come here and disrupt our way of life, break our laws and think they can do it like years ago, think again. This is a reality check. It will not happen. The mayor said we’re going to take them to jail and that’s what were going to do. Please if you’re thinking of coming down here, breaking our laws, disrupting our way of life, think again. You’ll be making a mistake,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones.
Spirit Airlines is just one of the airlines offering major deals outbound of South Florida, giving residents elsewhere to spring break.
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