Miami Beach officials said on Sunday that the city would extend curfews and closings until April 12, after a SWAT team was called on Saturday night to disperse a turbulent spring break crowd that defied the 8 pm curfew. .
City commissioners voted unanimously on the move during an emergency meeting on Sunday. The city’s interim manager, Raul Águila, who recommended extending the curfew, needed the support of the commission to extend the curfew beyond Tuesday.
Aguila told The Miami Herald that the measure aims to “contain the overwhelming crowd of visitors and the potential for violence, disruption and damage to property”.
The vote comes after police officers in bulletproof vests scattered pepper spray balls on Saturday to separate groups that descended on sunny South Beach by the thousands, destroying restaurants and flooding the streets without masks or social distance, despite COVID restrictions.
Miami Beach city cops are ready to enforce the strict rules that are part of the zero-tolerance campaign. Miami Beach Vacations Responsibly, as spring break officially began on Saturday, February 20, 2021 in Miami Beach, Florida.
(Miami Herald via AP)
After days of partying – including several clashes between police and large crowds – the Miami Beach authorities ordered an emergency curfew from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am, forcing restaurants to stop sitting outside entirely during the emergency period. three days and encouraging local businesses to voluntarily close low.
On Saturday, a military-style vehicle was seen descending Ocean Drive, lined with palm trees, on social media, as fewer Miami Beach police officers struggled to disperse the noisy crowd. Tourists were asked to stay inside their hotels and pedestrians or vehicles were not allowed to enter the restricted area after 8 pm.
SPRING BREAKERS IN MIAMI BEACH FORCE POPULAR RESTAURANT TO CLOSE SECURITY ISSUES
Despite the curfew, Ocean Avenue, the city’s main avenue, remained packed with revelers well after the 8 pm deadline. A SWAT team was at the perimeter and they reportedly left the area around 8:45 pm.
Paul Acosta, deputy police officer for the Miami Beach Police Department, said the main part of Ocean Avenue was free of crowds shortly after 9 pm.
Miami Beach city police officers arrest several men on Ocean Drive and 10th Street when spring break officially began on Saturday, February 20, 2021 in Miami Beach, Florida.
(Miami Herald via AP)
Miami Beach police imposed a curfew blocking Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue from 16th Street, reported WSVN 7 in Miami.
Eastbound traffic on the city’s three main thoroughfares – MacArthur, Julia Tuttle and Venetian – closed at 10 pm and remained closed until 5 am for people who were not residents, hotel guests or people who were going to work, according to the season . .
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Miami Beach police said on Sunday afternoon that they had made more than 50 arrests and confiscated at least eight firearms since Friday.
Fox News contacted Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and City Commissioner Michael Gongora with a request for comment, but did not receive a response before publication.
Paul Best and The Associated Press of Fox News contributed to this report.