The chaos of Miami Beach is not just a spring break in college

MIAMI BEACH, Florida – Tourists are from all over, and the reasons for going to South Beach this season vary.

“We didn’t go to college, but we came for spring break,” said one.

“I’m not at school, but I would love to,” said another.

Another said she was studying to become a paramedic in Auburn.

The problem – made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic – is that the crowds have been difficult to control for Miami Beach police.

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On Sunday night, after the 8 pm curfew in the city’s entertainment district, a crowd of people partyed in the streets, even jumping in cars.

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The damage is evident a day later on the covers of vehicles near 8th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. A car even has a broken windshield.

“In fact, we have not been able to enjoy our vacation. We stayed here at the Bentley and many young people from Generation Y came for spring break in an agitated way, ”said Tearney Bush, a visitor from Texas. “I’m not used to it, and I come here every year.”

An emergency meeting of the city commission was held on Sunday. After the city declared a state of emergency, the closure of the sidewalk and the curfew were officially extended.

The commission unanimously decided that the 8 pm curfew should last the next three weekends and be applied from Thursday to Sunday until at least April 12, which is the official end of spring break.

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“These are efforts and measures necessary to keep our residents, our community and, above all, our policemen safe,” said Officer Ernesto Rodriguez, of the Miami Beach Police Department.

After another wild weekend with near-record crowds, officials hope to calm down for at least a few days. But the 8 pm curfew can be extended to other nights of the week if problems arise again.

Police made at least 1,050 more arrests from February 5 to March 21, including 398 crimes. At least 102 firearms were seized on the streets of Miami Beach and there were more than 11,000 traffic citations.

The city is no longer referring to this time period as spring break, but as a period of high volume and high impact.

“We are seeing the people who come and party here are not necessarily college students,” said Michael Gongora, Miami Beach vice mayor. “We have tracked prison records and know that most of them come from another state and not necessarily for spring break. We believe that the pandemic has worsened the situation. “