FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Safety is a top priority for spring breakers who plan to flock to South Florida this month, police said, and several measures have been put in place to help ensure the party goes on without incident.
“I’ve been waiting to get down here in Miami,” said a spring breaker with a grey shirt.
“It gets going down here on spring break,” said a spring breaker with a white shirt and sunglasses.
Hundreds of young revelers have already arrived in the area, and over the next four weeks, local beaches will be crawling with even more college students.
“Hit the club,” said a spring breaker with a white muscle shirt.
“Meet some good people,” said another spring breaker in a white shirt.
“Just have a good time,” said the spring breaker with a white shirt and sunglasses.
Beach side venues are getting ready for the influx of people expected.
“I think the next couple of days we’ll start getting a good crew in here,” said boardwalk bartender.
Police are preparing too.
“We’re talking tens of thousands over the next few weeks,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Maj. Bill Schultz.
On Fort Lauderdale Beach, officers said they’re ready and they’re on the beach.
They’ve trained bartenders to help keep people safe, and new this year, there are safety tents where anyone can go for help.
“They can come to that tent, and these staff who are medically trained will assist them,” said Shultz.
While city leaders in Miami Beach want everyone to have a good time, they also want people to stay safe.
Down on South Beach, they’re trying to avoid mayhem such as what police experienced last year.
Miami Beach Officials took to Twitter and released a video to help get the word out on basic beach rules.
“Take care of our city and it will take care of you,” said a officer from MDPD video.
City officials tried to ban alcohol sales after 2 a.m. but a judge struck that down.
In attempts to calm down the crowds, there’s a food tasting every weekend this month, as well as a concert priced at $10 a ticket each Saturday, that probably won’t bring the house down.
“Wilson Phillips, Jon Batiste, Alanis Morissette, Bernadette Peters,” said Director of Tourism and Culture Lissette Garcia Arrogant.
On South Beach you’ll also see more police and code enforcement around as they work to keep residents and visitors safe this spring break season.
Back in Fort Lauderdale, there’s always live music at the Elbo Room, and officials advise one of the best ways to stay safe while having fun is sticking together.
“We all just make sure everyone is near. We don’t go alone places. We cover our drinks, that sorta stuff,” said spring breaker Shena Yoshioka.
Police are encouraging college students who are drinking into the night to stay close together.
As spring break continues, police said, officers will be amping up their patrols through the first week of April.
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