Police To Crack Down On South Beach Spring Breakers
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - In an effort to keep a lid on the sometimes rowdy Spring Break crowds that are now packing South Beach, the city's police department has come up with some new measures that will be implemented for "High Impact Weekends".
These measures will be in place this weekend beginning Thursday, March 17th.
Last weekend, the crowds grew out of control when they flowed off the beach and onto Lummus Park between 7th and 9th streets; they then spilled over onto Ocean Drive.
As police tried to control the crowds – getting them off the street and onto the sidewalk – people pushed, brawls broke out and objects were thrown.
As the crowd grew out of control, Miami Beach police had to call in officers working other areas of the beach as well as officers from Miami police.
In an effort not to have a repeat of that situation, police plan to increase staffing over the weekend in the area from 7th to 11th Street on Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive will be closed to traffic between 7 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., from 7th to 11th Street
Police plan to clear large crowds from the beaches before sunset to protect all visitors and check points will be set up to prevent alcohol, styrofoam cups & coolers and glass on the beach
The police department also plans to use Automatic License Plate Readers throughout the area.
According to a release from the police, they plan to remain flexible and may impose additional security measures as needed, including early closings of sidewalk cafes and package liquor stores, closing of additional portions of Ocean Drive and of other streets.
