Hollywood police warn Floatopia participants from coming to beach

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The Hollywood Police Department took to Facebook on Sunday to discourage people from taking part in  a Floatopia event on Hollywood Beach during Memorial Day weekend.  

"It has come to our attention that a group is planning a 'Floatopia' event on Hollywood Beach for Memorial Day weekend," the message starts. "A similar event occurred recently in Miami. The event resulted in extraordinary litter and environmental problems."

The message is referring to a Floatopia party that was held on Miami Beach in the spring, after which floats, beer bottles, cups and other items were left scattered on beach. The litter resulted in city officials pushing to stop the event from returning to Miami Beach.

Hollywood police said the city has "enacted a City Ordinance governing special events within the City. The ordinance requires any applicant for a special event to apply for and obtain a special event permit. If the application is approved, the organizer of the event assumes sole financial responsibility for all clean-up and other costs incurred by City residents. No event permit is in place. If a special event occurs without approval from the City, the Police Department may take appropriate enforcement action, including the assessment of monetary penalties against event organizers and participants. Additionally, all City enforcement officers will be strictly enforcing all beach regulations." 

Floatopia is a beach party in which people hit the ocean in their rafts, and hang out on the sand. The organization promotes it as a laid-back, good time.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department issued a Facebook message later Sunday afternoon, that echoed Hollywood police's post.

In their message the department said "all appropriate enforcement action for special events which may occur in our city without proper approval from the city."

It goes on to say that all beach regulations will be strictly enforced during Memorial Day.