MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Gov. Ron DeSantis arrived in Miami Beach to discuss the type of support the state will provide to cities over the next few weeks during spring break.
During a press conference on Tuesday, DeSantis announced that 140 state troopers will be on patrol throughout Florida to help maintain and ensure a safe and peaceful environment.
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will deploy their manpower and tactical assets to several spring break destinations like Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach.
“We have been given the tools from are governor to make sure that we can enforce these rules and laws throughout our state,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass.
“We’re going to get the job done, not for you, but with you,” said Dave Kerner, executive director of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
“Florida is a very welcoming state, we welcome people to come and have a good time,” DeSantis said. “What we don’t welcome is criminal activity. What we don’t welcome is mayhem, people that want to reek havoc on our communities. Make no mistake about it, if you’re coming here in order to enjoy Florida, enjoy to have a good time, fine. If you’re coming for these other reasons, if you’re committing crimes, causing havoc, you are going to pay the price and we will hold you accountable. We stand by ready to support even more.”
Sixty troopers will be around Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach, with the majority going to Miami Beach.
“And they came through, they came through,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steve Meiner. “They gave us even more than we asked. We’re going to see if about 45 Florida troopers out on our streets in the next couple of weeks.”
To deter violence in Miami Beach, officials passed several measures that took effect on Friday. They are also making it clear they’ve had enough of the shootings, stampedes and overall recklessness seen in previous years.
People on Miami Beach welcomed the governor’s announcement.
“Safety’s first. That’s all I care about,” said one person on the street.
Spring breakers are being urged to be on their best behavior as they now have to deal with these measures and an increased police presence.
Some of the measures include:
- $30 flat rate at South Beach garages/surface lots Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. (Residents excluded)
- Thursday 6 a.m. through Monday 6 a.m. : Garages/surface lots closed.
- $100 flat rate for 42nd Street surface lot (residents excluded)
- Non-resident tow rate south of 23rd Street
Beach access along Ocean Drive will also be limited to the entrances of Fifth, 10th, and 12th Streets, with all access closing at 6 p.m.
“We’re a law and order state and we’re going to ensure law and order in this state,” said Desantis.
Some people said the plans by the city are not good.
“It’s trash because you gonna sit here and tell me how to have a good time? It’s trash,” said one person.
“I don’t know anything about spring break or the rules because I’m unruly,” said another person.
Miami Beach officials said they could impose a curfew as soon as this weekend, but no announcement has been made yet.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.