Citing concerns over spring break crowds, the City of Miami Beach has implemented a weekend curfew from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 15 until Monday, March 18 at 6 a.m. Here’s everything you need to know about the new restrictions.
The curfew announcement follows the city’s efforts to combat spring break this year with a series of rules, even putting out a commercial “breaking up’’ with the holiday that immediately went viral.
“In consultation with our public safety leadership, we have determined that a midnight curfew is necessary and appropriate to assist in maintaining public safety on this Spring Break weekend,’’ said Miami Beach City Manager Alina Hudak in a release.
The curfew will be imposed for the area of 23rd Street and Dade Boulevard on the north, Government Cut on the south, Biscayne Bay on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Businesses within the affected area are being ordered to close in advance of the curfew so patrons can avoid violating the emergency measures. The following map highlights the area:
Public safety officers will patrol the curfew area. Businesses may continue to operate from 11:59 p.m. to 6 a.m. for delivery services. Additionally, all residents requiring access to or from their homes, guests requiring access to or from their hotels and employees of business establishments requiring access, including business deliveries are permitted.
The curfew doesn’t apply to designated essential services such as fire, police and hospital services. It also doesn’t apply to people traveling to work or returning to their homes after their work has concluded.
A ‘Special Event Zone’ has also been designated beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 15 until 7 a.m. Monday, March 18, from 17th Street down to South Pointe Park. This zone includes Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue and all side streets. And within this zone, the city holds the authority to double fines for noncriminal traffic infractions and impound vehicles for violations.
This isn’t the first time the city has imposed a curfew over spring break and this isn’t exactly unexpected news. The City Commission passed a resolution last year to declare a curfew to protect public safety for spring break 2024. This is one of the weekends where South Beach has historically experienced the “highest level of disturbance and violence,’’ according to city officials.