MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Looking ahead to spring break next month, Miami Beach city leaders made an unprecedented decision on Wednesday as they try to keep peace on the beach.
Several fatal shootings during last year’s spring break were being considered as the Miami Beach City Commission made a surprise decision to completely shut down city garages from Mid-Beach to South Beach on the two big spring break weekends in mid-March.
Besides increasing law enforcement presence, closing the beach at night and stopping slingshot and scooter rentals, the commission wants to make it as difficult as possible to bring cars to the beach.
Arrest statistics last year indicate most of the troublemakers drove in to Miami Beach.
As for private parties and club events, as spring break promoters work to bring in the crowds, they’re finding it more difficult to do their jobs.
“It does make it harder to promote for real because I’m trying to make sure the mood’s straight,” said party promoter Antonio Beatty II. “But we’re going to find a way.”
Ocean Drive business owners who will have to close sidewalk business during the two high impact weeks are resigned and respectful that profits take a back seat to safety.
“We like to make money but we already lived some uncomfortable situations, and if the city decides with the police that this is the best solution, we’ll figure out this year,” said The Beach general manager Ezequiel Timberini.