Local leaders question whether race is playing a role in increasing Miami Beach police activity during spring break

MIAMI BEACH, Florida – Major changes were announced in Miami Beach in an attempt to control turbulent spring break crowds.

After several attempts to disperse the crowd on Saturday night, pepper balls were fired in South Beach as the police tried to impose a 8 pm curfew.

All sidewalks leading to Miami Beach will remain closed from 10 pm to 6 am, with the exception of residents, workers and hotel guests.

On Sunday night, the crowd again gathered on Ocean Drive.

The party then moved to several side streets, where people were seen dancing on top of the cars, some of which were left with the cracked windshield and other damage.

Bottles of champagne were also left on top of the vehicles, along with a lot of other trash left in the area.

Some local black leaders criticize the city of Miami Beach because of the severity of the spring wave crackdown. They believe it has to do with the running of many of the visitors.

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Miami-Dade NAACP President Daniella Pierre argues that the city’s intensified police presence and aggressive curfew enforcement without warning visitors sends an unpleasant message and only heightens tensions.

“They are received with a strong police presence, on the contrary, they are received with street blocks. They are received in closed parking lots, ”said Pierre. “What are you aiming for, is it a crime or is it a culture?”

Miami Beach Police Chief Rick Clements told Local 10 News that the environment this year is different and the crowds have challenged police officers trying to make arrests.

“Covid has had people repressed for a long time, well over a year,” he said. “I think they are coming here to relax a little, but I think they are also forcing the game to obey the rules.”

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said the oversight is about public safety.

“Just look at the videos,” said Gelber. “We are not targeting a group of people. We are aiming for conduct. “

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Videos in the past few days have shown struggles and damage to property, prompting some companies to close for security reasons.

“We still have the right to go to Miami Beach and we still have the right to be treated fairly,” said Pierre.

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