Miami’s ‘Spring Breakup’ Initiative Will Enforce Stricter Curfews, Checkpoints and More in 2024

• The City of Miami Beach has launched its ‘Spring Break’ campaign to discourage tourists from unbridled and violent behavior
• Some of the new rules include increased parking fees, restricted access to the beach and a curfew throughout the month of March
• The city is enforcing even stricter rules during the “high impact weekends” of March 7-10 and March 14-17
• Last March, there were two spring break shootings in South Beach and a total of 573 arrests were made

Miami Beach is ready to cut ties with spring break — but some aren’t ready to give up.

In a new video campaign released on City of Miami Beach TV on Friday, the Florida city reiterated its plans to implement stricter rules for students and tourists visiting Miami in March. They first announced the initiative in a press release on February 13.

Throughout the month, the city’s Entertainment District will implement a $30 flat parking fee for parking garages and surface lots, according to their official website. In South Beach, the towing price will double to $516 plus an additional $30 administrative fee for non-residents.

Limited beach access on Ocean Drive will now close at 6pm and have security checkpoints and bag checks for all prohibited items such as alcohol, coolers, tents and tables. Beachgoers are also not allowed to play music from portable speakers.

Passenger video captures the terrifying moment a speedboat collides near Miami

Plenty of Miami Beach Spring Break 2023.

Joe Raedle/Getty

The rules become stricter during the “high-impact weekends” of March 7-10 and March 14-17 as the city expects its biggest spring break crowds. All South Beach parking garages will be closed from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Monday during these weekends, and the fixed parking fee will increase to $100.

In addition, the Miami Beach Police Department will implement DUI checkpoints and a license plate reader on certain streets.

Florida officials close several beaches after spring break fun continues despite warnings

The video campaign cites illegal behavior and deadly violence as the “tipping point” of the city.

Last March, two people were killed in a back-to-back shooting in South Beach, including a college student on vacation in Miami. Additionally, a total of 573 arrests were made during Spring Break 2023, a spokesperson for the city of Miami Beach confirmed to PEOPLE.

In 2021, Miami Beach declared a state of emergency due to the influx of people in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crowded beaches resulted in an 8 p.m. curfew.

Miami Beach Police Use Pepper Spray to Disperse ‘Unruly’ Spring Break Crowd Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Police officers break up a crowd in Miami Beach in March 2023.

Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a city spokesperson said the “Miami Beach Breaks With Spring Breakers” campaign is intended to inform “potential spring breakers and any other people who come to cause trouble, that Miami Beach will not tolerate disorderly behavior.”

“The message is clear that Miami Beach is no longer a place for debauchery and that our laws and regulations will be fully enforced,” they added. “We hope this campaign will deter the unruly masses from coming to Miami Beach at this time.”

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In the comments of the video, people seem to have mixed feelings about the new campaign.

“Amazing,” one person wrote, while another added, “literally the ONLY reason you could be mad about this is if you want to be part of the chaos.”

Meanwhile, others pointed out that the video was supposed to be released in February and that the initiative won’t stop the spring newlyweds from coming to Miami to party.

“Spring break isn’t going ANYWHERE, there will be NO breaks AT ALL and these measures will NOT apply,” added another.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education