Spring break crowd around a yellow lifeguard tower on South Beach – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Angela N Perryman
A fresh alert was sent out to Florida students on Wednesday in advance of “Senior Skip Day.”
On Thursday, March 21, the Miami Beach Police Department released a video on X, the previous Twitter platform, cautioning kids against skipping class.
In the video, a Miami Beach Police Department officer stated, “The department has been made aware that this Thursday, March 21st, students will be participating, here at South Pointe Park in the beach, reference Senior Skip Day.” “We would like to remind students that skipping during school hours is considered truancy.”
The officer in the video continues by saying that even if their parents gave their consent, pupils who are caught missing Thursday courses may be arrested and brought back to class.
Public spaces like parks and beaches are supposed to be patrolled by members of the Miami Beach Police Department, “and enforcing any city ordinances or state laws,” the officer in the video stated. Fighting, using tobacco products or any other illegal narcotics, and consuming alcohol in public are all considered violations of these rules or statutes.
In Florida, smoking is permitted until the age of 21.
The officer states, “Subjects could be detained or possibly arrested.”
This week’s warning was given just after Miami officials made an effort to discourage spring break visitors from visiting the city because of fears of violence.
This month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared, “Florida may be popular for spring break, but it is inhospitable to criminal activity.” “Disorder and lawlessness are not tolerated in Florida. I’m giving state law enforcement agencies instructions to send more people and resources to local organizations so that they have what they need to maintain order over spring break.”
Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Mark Glass, stated: “To support our local agencies, dozens of FDLE members will be working during spring break. We won’t allow Florida to become a victim of the pandemonium that other states have experienced, starting with swiftly deploying our resources, carrying out investigations, and offering analytical study.”
A press release from DeSantis’s office stated that 140 state troopers were asked to help with responding to spring break by 17 different law enforcement agencies in Florida.
Curfews, extra security checks, and the placement of uniformed police officers in various locations were enforced by Miami officials. Prior to spring break, the city installed DUI checkpoints as well.
Earlier in the month, Miami Beach City Commissioner Alex Fernandez declared, “We’re shutting the door on spring break once and for all.” “Lawlessness will not be tolerated in Miami Beach.”
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.