Miami Beach to impose spring break curfew this week after two shootings
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Miami Beach officials on Tuesday approved a curfew for this weekend in an effort to contain large spring break crowds following a round of violence that saw five people shot in two separate shootings and police officers injured. In a special meeting, the city commissioners unanimously supported the measure giving Alina Hudak, the City Manager, the power to impose the curfew due to concerns about the increase in spring breakers over the next few months.
The curfew will go into effect at 12: 01 a.m. Thursday and will end at 6 a.m. each morning through March 28. Additional curfew rules may be enforced for weekends later. The curfew will cover the popular South Beach area, from 23rd Street to the north to South Pointe Drive to the south, the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Biscayne Bay to the west.
On Tuesday, spring breakers in Miami Beach Florida. City commissioners on Tuesday approved a curfew for this weekend that will go into effect at midnight Thursday and will last each night through March 28 in an effort to control large, unruly crowds.
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“We have a situation and we have a crowd control issue throughout this portion of our city that makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to manage and to control,” Hudak said. “We don’t have any reason to believe that this weekend’s crowds will be any different from the last weekend. “
She stated that the city was forced to impose a curfew after six months of spring break enforcement planning, when it became clear that nothing else could have been done to stop violence other than shutting down the party.
Miami Beach, Florida: March 22, 2022
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In recent years, large crowds flocking to the popular beachside town have sometimes become unruly and violent, overwhelming local law enforcement trying to manage and control defiant gatherings. We could use more help but where are we going? Richard Clements, Miami Beach Police Chief, spoke to the commissioners. “I’m at my wits end trying to figure out how to deal with this crowd and the numbers that are there and what we’re facing. “
Miami Beach, Florida: March 22, 2022
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Last year, the city imposed an 8 p.m. curfew during spring break to crack down on disruptive behavior. Over the course of four weeks, Miami Beach police made more than 1,000 arrests and several officers were injured.
Two women relax on the sand at Miami Beach, Florida.
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In one case, two North Carolina men were arrested in connection with allegedly drugging and raping a 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman found dead in her Miami Beach hotel room.
Tuesday’s move was prompted by a weekend marred by violence in which five people were injured in two shootings. Hudak stated that one of the shootings occurred within a few feet from Miami Beach police officers.
Miami Beach, Florida: March 22, 2022
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In addition, there were six incidents where shots were fired and nine where police officers were injured. The city declared a state emergency Monday in response.
” “Our city is well beyond its endpoint,” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber stated during Monday’s news conference to announce the emergency declaration. “What we’re seeing, what we feel and what are observing is unacceptable at every level. “
On Tuesday, spring breakers and police gathered on a Miami Beach sidewalk.
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He stressed that the city doesn’t encourage spring break, “we just endure it. “
To discourage spring breakers from coming back, Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez suggested that the city pay local businesses to close down for several weeks in impacted areas and stop hosting the Miami Beach Live music festival.
Commissioner Ricky Arriola questioned those who have called for defunding police departments and condemning city governments.
” Where is the leadership now? He said. “We will not bow to the will of mob. We will continue to enforce our laws. We are in a difficult spot right now, as we take draconian measures, such as curfews that impair businesses… and the convenience of our citizens.”
The commissioners asked Hudak to limit alcohol sales at liquor stores, and other retailers. They also noted that late-night businesses could sue them over the curfew because many depend on spring break revenue. Hudak will make the final decision on alcohol sales.
As Miami Beach continues its spring break season, vehicles drive through a busy street Tuesday.
(Fox News Digital)
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Commissioner Davis Richardson questioned whether it was legal to close off the city to visitors. He stated that it was a public safety concern that there were too many people in a small space.
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