As spring break comes to an end, City of Miami Beach officials have already begun planning for next year. On Monday, commissioners voted in support of imposing a curfew and liquor sale limits for the annual vacation period in 2024.
“We’re taking bigger, stronger actions than we have in the past to curb the lawlessness that descends upon our city,” Commissioner Alex Fernandez said during the meeting. “Miami Beach is shutting the door on spring break once and for all.”
Mayor Dan Gelber, who has spoken out against rowdy spring break crowds time and time again, mentioned making the city a less attractive destination during the weeks.
“We are doing everything we can to tell the world we don’t want you here,” Gelber said.
During the City Hall meeting, officials discussed measures such as a curfew for likely two weekends of March and a cut-off time for alcohol sales both on and off-premise consumption, although the final decision on liquor sales will be discussed again next month.
In addition to the measures, commissioners pitched bringing a ticketed event that would establish perimeters on South Beach and include metal detectors to stop guns from coming into the area.
The vote followed another chaotic spring break in Miami Beach, which resulted in two fatal shootings on Ocean Drive and sparked a state of emergency and temporary curfew, in addition to a brief alcohol sales rollback. This year, there were 488 arrests — 237 of which were felony offenses, according to Miami Beach PD. And more than 100 firearms were seized.
Gelber and city officials said they predict violence in the years to come unless action is taken and drastic measures are implemented.
As for specifics, like the dates and times for the curfew and the liquor sales rollback, commissioners have directed City Manager Alina Hudak and her staff to suggest what they should do, and commissioners will return to the topic at their regular meeting in April.