Beachgoers sprawled throughout Miami Beach during spring break – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Angela N Perryman
Miami Beach was completely destroyed by violent spring break parties, but Fort Lauderdale, Florida, roughly an hour up the coast, was where the fun continued.
Coeds in bikinis traveled to popular coastal holiday destinations in the Sunshine State where they spent days on the beach, partied the night away, and took a week off from school.
There were “no major events associated with the 2023 Spring Break season,” according to Fort Lauderdale police, with the exception of two “notable” arrests for a fight with a bar security guard and an unprovoked assault on a disabled individual.
It was in sharp contrast to the pandemonium that erupted in Miami Beach over the weekend after gunshots were heard twice. There were two fatalities, three injuries, and several injuries due to stampedes, and this led to the declaration of a state of emergency for the entire city.
According to the city’s proclamation of a state of emergency, between February 27 and March 19, there were at least 322 arrests, including at least 165 for violent felonies and drug-related crimes, and 70 weapons were seized.
According to the city, this is a 200 percent spike in killings and a 27 percent increase in felony arrests over the same period the previous year.
Dan Gelber, the mayor of Miami Beach, claimed on Sunday that numerous tourists had brought firearms and “created a hazard that cannot continue uncontrolled.”
The city manager of Miami said on Thursday that a midnight curfew, combined with additional safety measures and a strong crackdown on alcohol, went into force on March 19 and will last until March 27.
“In response to the illegal and unruly behavior exhibited by these large crowds during March 2023, and in order to provide for the health and safety of persons and property, the city deployed hundreds of law enforcement officers,” according to Miami Beach’s state of emergency declaration.
The letter mentions that law enforcement officials from several jurisdictions have been working up to 14-hour shifts six days a week.
“Despite unprecedented police presence, for two consecutive nights, Ocean Drive has been the scene of deadly shootings. So, tonight, Sunday, March 19, we will be implementing a midnight curfew for South Beach as part of our emergency powers,” Miami Beach Mayor Daniel Gelber said in a statement.
“In addition to a midnight curfew, the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption will be prohibited in the curfew area after 6 p.m.”
During the first weekend of spring break, there was a significant police presence on the beaches in Fort Lauderdale.
Police officers on four-wheelers patrolled the beaches as drug-sniffing dogs wandered the sand with their handlers. The nightclubs and bars had a noticeable police presence outside.
Beverages were seized and alcohol prohibitions were aggressively enforced.
Dean Trantalis, the mayor of Fort Lauderdale, told CBS News that college students make up the majority of beachgoers and that he is “pleased” with spring break 2023.
“We don’t allow drinking on the beach, unless you’re being served by a hotel,” Trantalis told CBS. “The bars are open to a certain time, they’re not open as late as other cities are. We try to curb the excitement a little bit.”
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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.