Photo Courtesy: AP News
Miami is attempting to end its long-term relationship with Spring Break. After three consecutive years of spring break violence, Miami Beach officials are implementing monthlong security measures in an attempt to reduce the mayhem that occurs during that week.
In a commercial released by Miami encouraging guests not to come, city officials have warned visitors to expect curfews starting at six p.m. from Thursday through Sunday, bag checks for beach access, DUI checkpoints, parking garage and lot closures, and arrests for drug possession and violence. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that he would deploy 45 additional state law enforcement officers to Miami to beef up security.
Tiaura Robinson, a fourth-year social work student from Miami, felt that restrictions were needed.
“I feel like the restrictions are necessary for the simple fact that when people do come to Miami for Spring Break, they treat the city carelessly, and something bad always happens throughout the duration of spring break,” Robinson said.
Robinson continued, saying that she does not see these rules ending typical Spring Break behavior and that people will still find a way to get around the restrictions. Robinson hopes visitors will heed but doesn’t expect reduced crime and violence.
Kian Asongwed, a first-year computer engineering student, is spending his Spring Break in Miami this year but feels that his experience might not go as expected.
“As a traveler to Miami for Spring Break, the restrictions have almost made me reconsider my decision,” Asongwed said. “It’s also made it harder to plan events. I think the restrictions are too far. I understand the city for implementing them, but the curfew for adults under 21 is too much.”
Asongwed says some events he planned to attend were canceled, and he’s had to plan more of his events during the day than at night to abide by the new curfew.
Other natives believe that while these measures were necessary, they would negatively affect neighboring cities such as Fort Lauderdale.
Jared Ocean, a senior criminal justice student from the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area, believes visitors will soon attempt to vacation in nearby cities.
“I felt like the commercial was needed, but I wish they would’ve included South Florida in general because what locals are now thinking is ‘they’re going to come over to Fort Lauderdale and mess things up,’” Ocean said.
Ocean continued by saying that Fort Lauderdale was once considered a sacred area to which few out-of-town guests were privy. However, the new restrictions might cause visitors to gravitate to nearby South Florida cities.
Robinson concludes that she does not think Miami is all it is cracked up to be, and the amount of people who come each year surprises her. Robinson said there isn’t much to do, and the money spent here could go elsewhere.
The new restrictions on Spring Break in Miami leave many questions for tourists and locals. Soon, however, the results from these new measures will show their effectiveness.