MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami Beach officials are looking to break up with spring break, announcing tougher new rules aimed at curbing the chaos seen year after year.
The city’s mayor on Thursday unveiled details on how they plan to do that ahead of the busy month of March.
“We welcome everyone to come to our city,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steve Meiner.
Meiner said the city’s message is that everyone is welcome to have fun, but if you want to cause trouble, it’s going to be a lot harder to do and a lot harder to get away with it.
Over the past couple of years, spring break has left Miami Beach riddled with shootings, stampedes and all-around bad behavior.
“We’ve tried very, very hard to mitigate some issues of spring break. People getting shot and killed,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones.
The city said their goal this year for spring breakers is to keep the peace.
During the month of March, beach access will be limited with security checkpoints to enter the sand. After 6 p.m, the traffic pattern will change to help reduce traffic impacts south of Fifth Street. The towing fee for non-residents will double to $516.
The city said that during the two busiest weekends in March, parking fees will increase to a flat rate of $100, sidewalk cafes along Ocean Drive will close, and there will be a DUI checkpoint along the 400 block of Fifth Street.
Police said the eastbound lanes on the MacArthur and Julia Tuttle causeways will have license plate readers.
“Coming across the causeways during the evening hours will be long and slow,” said Jones.
Businesses renting low-speed vehicles, along with scooters, mopeds, motorcycles and Slingshots will be suspended from operating.
“Come here, enjoy, but don’t come here looking for trouble. We’ve had enough,” said Meiner.
City officials indicated that parking enforcement and towing will be heavily enhanced, especially in residential areas.
A free trolley will be available on the weekends of March 8 and 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. for those looking to get around the city.
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