MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – Thousands of revelers packed Ocean Drive to begin what the police said was the busiest spring break weekend, but a popular location will remain closed to snack bars due to security concerns.
7News cameras captured thousands of people along Ocean Drive’s 700 block, shortly after 10:00 pm on Friday.
About a block to the north, a large crowd of unmasked revelers was seen walking down the iconic street while police officers kept a watchful eye across the street.
A team from 7News spotted a Miami Beach Police prisoner van waiting in case the situation got out of hand.
Hours earlier, The Clevelander South Beach announced on Friday that it would temporarily suspend its food and beverage operations.
Friday afternoon, cameras captured empty tables and folded umbrellas at The Clevelander. The entrance to the dining area was blocked.
“Recently, we have grown increasingly concerned with the safety of our dedicated employees and valuable customers and with the city’s ability to maintain a safe environment in the surrounding area,” said the hotel manager in a letter posted on social media. “Therefore, we made the difficult decision to temporarily close the food and beverage operations in Clevelander South Beach until at least March 24, 2021.”
The hotel said it will reevaluate in the coming days and will decide whether to reopen or remain temporarily closed.
His concerns are likely to stem from several incidents in Miami Beach in the past few days.
The cell phone video showed the end of a stampede on Ocean Drive on Friday night as people fled. Several women screamed as they fled to safety.
The stampede came after a large group of people gathered near Wet Willie.
On Thursday night, the police used pepper bombs to stop a fight outside a restaurant, causing circuit breakers to run for cover.
The cell phone video showed customers at Jalapeño Mexican Kitchen, on Block 500 of Ocean Drive, as they settled under tables.
Before the situation turned to chaos, partygoers packed Ocean Drive between Eighth and Ninth streets.
When the fighting started and the police entered, nearby restaurants suffered a major blow. The video showed thrown and broken furniture and glass, and checks were not paid.
A man was also killed after a shooting on Monday night.
The police stepped up efforts to crack down on crime in the city, including the entry of police from other departments.
“We are at the height of spring break, this weekend is what is expected to be the busiest of the week,” said Miami Beach police officer Ernesto Rodriguez. “Many additional reinforcements in terms of police activity here in Miami Beach, then many measures in place to curb any criminal activity, to tame the crowds and to encourage the people who are here to behave responsibly. Otherwise, the message is clear: you will be arrested ”.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said he was uncomfortable with the recent incidents recorded on video.
“We’ll just have to manage this as best as we can. I hate to watch the videos, ”he said.
Ultimately, Gelber said, he wants to end the entertainment district, but for now, he’s focused on controlling spring break.
“I want people to know that we have a lot of police here and we are not warning people. We are arresting them, ”he said.
At least two dozen people were arrested Thursday night.
“In the past five and a half weeks, we’ve seen over 900 arrests,” said Rodriguez.
Miami Beach enlisted the help of the Florida Highway Patrol. The video showed soldiers on the east side of the MacArthur Causeway, Friday night.
Hours later, the cameras showed stalled traffic along the west lanes of Fifth Street, just before the overpass.
Authorities said they are prepared to close the bridge this weekend, if necessary, to control the number of people heading to Miami Beach.
In his statement, the Clevelander South Beach manager wrote, “Clevelander employees have our full support and will receive their full salary during this period.”
However, many of these employees rely on tips for making a living.
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