MIAMI (WSVN) - City of Miami Police were out in full force enforcing a curfew at the end of a day that saw peaceful protests give way to tense confrontations with police and vandalism at area businesses.
7News cameras captured officers wearing protective gear and wielding shields near a CVS Pharmacy in the area of Biscayne Boulevard and Second Street, across from the AmericanAirlines Arena, just after 9 p.m., Sunday.
A window at the pharmacy was shattered after, witnesses said, several people threw bricks at it, at around 8:30 p.m.
Cameras also captured cracked glass on one of the front entrance doors.
Cellphone video captured other protesters attempting to discourage the vandals from going through with their plans to break into and loot the pharmacy. Nevertheless, the vandals were unsuccessful.
Shortly after, police officers responded with a special response unit, and the subjects dispersed without further incident.
Cameras captured officers in helmets, face masks and vests banging their shields in an attempt to push the crowd away at the intersection of Northeast Second Avenue and Second Street, near the CVS, just before the curfew went into effect.
Miami-Dade County officials have issued a curfew from 9 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. on Monday for a second night in a row, but the curfew in the City of Miami went into effect an hour earlier.
Hours earlier, 7SkyForce hovered above The Shops at Midtown Miami where further vandalism was reported.
Crowds have dwindled significantly since the curfew went into effect, a sharp contrast to the chaotic turn of events on Saturday night. Cameras showed a group of demonstrators confronting police officers at the west entrance of Miami Police headquarters and setting vehicles on fire.
Meanwhile, looters targeted stores at Bayside Marketplace and a jewelry store in Downtown Miami.
#Update: Our Rapid Deployment Force, Special Response, & Priority Response Teams made a total of 28 arrests throughout the protests in downtown Miami today. There was no damage to MDPD vehicles, @PortMiami, or the Government Center. pic.twitter.com/D0MLuuNqHc
— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) June 1, 2020
Police said anyone caught violating the curfew will be subject to arrest. As of 11 p.m., Miami-Dade Police reported 28 arrests in the Downtown Miami area.
Just after 9 p.m., Miami-Dade Transit officials confirmed services will be restored starting Monday morning. In a tweet, officials said, “Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus will resume their New Normal schedules.”
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