Miami Beach is done with spring break tourists. But those tourists were already looking elsewhere.
06.03.2024 - 20:25 / forbes.com / Ron Desantis
Miami Beach has a message to unruly Spring Breakers: Don’t come this March—seriously.
A new PSA video advertised on the the city of Miami Beach’s social channels follows the storyline of a breakup, with actors portraying Miami locals who say they’re breaking up with the Spring Break crowd this year. The anti-tourism ad opens with a break-up line: “This isn’t working anymore. And it’s not us, it’s you. We just want different things.”
The locals portrayed in the video say their idea of a good time includes relaxing on the beach, checking out new restaurants, and hitting up the spas.
“You guys want to get drunk in public, and ignore laws,” one says.
The video then goes on to point out that the breaking point was last year’s drunk and disorderly crowds, flashing to newspaper clippings and images of police patrolling packed beaches on ATVs. During last year’s Spring Break season between Feb. 27 and March 27, there were two deadly shootings, 488 arrests, nearly half of which were for felony offenses, 105 firearms confiscated and impounded, and 7,190 traffic citations issued, according to the Miami Beach Police.
Problems have been mounting over the past couple of years, with 1,000 Spring Breaker arrests in March 2021, which led to an emergency curfew.
Miami Beach is a nine-mile-long barrier island along the Atlantic Ocean, with South Beach getting the most overrun with Spring Break crowds.
You can see the one-minute video here:
Beyond the video, Miami Beach is putting into place a series of strict restrictions in an effort to deter Spring Breakers. City plans include Curfews, bag checks, restricted beach access, early closings for some liquor stores, $100 parking fees, DUI checkpoints and more. Businesses renting out motorized scooters, slingshots, mopeds and the like will also be on pause from March 7-10 and March 14-17.
“If you are looking to cause problems, do not come to Miami Beach,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones in a statement. “We are fully prepared to ensure our city is safe for everyone. Our message is simple: we want people to enjoy their time here, but will not tolerate the behavior we have witnessed in the past few years.”
Miami Beach officials expect March 7-10 and March 14-17 to draw the largest crowds. To cut down on Ocean Drive chaos, sidewalk cafes lining Ocean Drive will shut down between March 8-10 and 15-17.
Non-resident towing rates in Miami Beach will be $516, which is double the normal rate, plus a $30 administrative fee.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference on Tuesday said 60 state troopers will be in South Florida to help tame Spring Break crowds, with a majority on South Beach. The governor will also be sending state reinforcements to Daytona Beach and Panama
Miami Beach is done with spring break tourists. But those tourists were already looking elsewhere.
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