After crowds have become increasingly dangerous in recent years, Miami Beach has announced it will lift beach restrictions and increase police presence after spring break in 2024.
Weeks into spring break, officials say safety measures such as limiting access to beaches and closing liquor stores early have been a huge success.
Miami Beach police announced that as of March 17, the number of arrests citywide was down 8% compared to last year, and the mayor said 90,000 residents are grateful for the city's efforts. Stated. “Law and order.”
But some businesses argued the measure went too far when the city imposed a late-night curfew last week. One nightclub reported a $500,000 loss in revenue, indicating some may be saddened by the loss of spring break.
Miami Beach ends spring break: 'It's not us, it's you'
In 2021, more than 1,000 spring breakers were arrested and an emergency curfew was issued in Miami Beach. In 2022, two shootings left five people injured, leading to another curfew. Last year, Miami Beach police announced they made 488 arrests, seized 105 firearms and issued 7,190 traffic citations between February 27 and March 27.
This year I was told enough is enough.
They released a campaign that included a dramatic video saying, “This isn't working anymore, you're the problem, not us. We just want things to be different.”
The city also imposed additional security every Thursday through Sunday in March, restricting access to beaches and closing liquor stores early. Last weekend, they imposed a midnight curfew.
The mayor and police tout the measures as a success.
Mayor Stephen Miner told Fox News that the measure was necessary after the past two years. He also posted on X and said he received a lot of positive feedback from residents.
“I don't know if we've ever wanted to be a popular spring break destination, but we want to be a tourist attraction, and we are,” Miner said on Fox News. “And I think the opposite was actually happening…We were risking ruining our reputation by committing these acts of violence, and we stopped that this year.”
Miami Beach Police Department spokesman Christopher Beth also said the measure represents progress.
“The joint efforts of law enforcement and the community have established a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors alike,” Bess said in an emailed statement.
He also said that out of 274 arrests from March 1 to March 17, only four were for curfew violations.
But the mayor also acknowledged that business response to the measure was mixed, as several sued the city over the curfew.
Multiple clubs file lawsuits over curfew, with one club reporting $500,000 loss
On Friday, March 15, the city of Miami Beach announced a weekend curfew in addition to the restrictions.
Three nightclubs that stay open until the early hours of the morning have filed a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief to end the Friday night curfew. According to a CBS News report, liquor stores filed similar lawsuits last year amid early closing orders.
Exchange Miami, Mynt and M2 already had 15,000 customers without issues this month, according to the filing. It was also claimed that clubs spent large sums of money preparing for the weekend's activities.
“A forced closure during Miami Music Week would destroy the brand and image that Plaintiffs have worked so hard to cultivate and earn,” the complaint states. “They have invested millions of dollars into the company and the Miami Beach community, and there have been no legal issues or issues during Spring Break 2023.”
But a judge sided with the city and kept the curfew in place.
Several restaurants told local station WSVN that while they understand the need for safety, they still stand to lose a significant amount of business. An M2 representative told the media outlet that they could lose $500,000. Mango's Tropical Cafe on Ocean Drive told WSVN it will be closed over the weekend and will be at 30% business.
Many of the city's spring break measures are in place until the end of the month, but a city spokesperson told USA TODAY there are no plans to reimpose a curfew this weekend.
Contributed by: Terry Collins, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY
