As Spring break approaches for colleges around the nation, students with plans to visit Miami Beach, FL may want to think twice.
Following the release of a one-minute commercial on Friday that informed spring breakers the city was “breaking up with you,” the city announced that they would be enforcing plans to limit unruly activity.
The City of Miami Beach TV commercial said that changes for the month of March include $100 parking costs, limited beach access, security/DUI checkpoints, curfews and strong police drug and violence enforcement.
In a February press conference, Miami Beach mayor Steven Meiner informed the public to “Come here, enjoy, but don’t come here looking for trouble.”
Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones emphasized this message saying, “We want people to enjoy their time here, but will not tolerate the behavior we have witnessed in the past few years.”
This behavior refers to a 2023 that saw two spring break related fatal shootings and 488 arrests according to Miami Beach Police. The city was forced to declare a state of emergency as a result of the chaos.
D.A. Varela / Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Following this announcement, surrounding cities such as Fort Lauderdale, FL are preparing for an influx of tourists that may be flocking from their original Miami Beach destination. Fort Lauderdale Police Chief, Bill Schultz said, “We always heighten the number of officers that are going to be out here. … You’re gonna see a very high increase in officers.”
For students at Mount Saint Mary College, spring break will begin Monday, March 11.