MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - The City of Miami Beach is stepping up security right before what’s expected to be one of the busiest weekends of the season, as officials say they’re breaking up with the unruly spring breaks of the past.
Miami Beach Police, with the assistance of multiple local and state law enforcement agencies, are getting ready for the large crowds and to begin enforcing a series of restrictions.
“We want people to enjoy spring break in a responsible manner, but we also have to prioritize public safety,” said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Alejandro Camacho.
On Thursday at 6 a.m., all parking garages and open-air lots in South Beach will be shut down until Monday at 6 a.m. Steve Polycarp, who is from Germany, said she was surprised when she saw that she was not able to enter the beach on Thursday.
“I didn’t know it was about spring break,” she said.
The closures are just one among several safety precautions that are moving into place with extra support from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office. On Tuesday, the governor announced 140 troopers in total will be deployed around the state to keep things calm.
DeSantis said he is working to make sure that the only thing that people are paying for during the month of March is an enjoyable, safe time.
“If you’re coming here in order to enjoy Florida, enjoy and 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,” he said.
To achieve this purpose, DeSantis is deploying state troopers to spring break hotspots to keep these areas calm during the busiest weekends.
“For Miami Beach, we are sending a total of 45 troopers for the next two weeks, just to assist them in any way possible,” said Camacho.
Officials said 15 other troopers will be along Fort Lauderdale Beach.
“Just to assist [police] in any way possible, whether it’s traffic enforcement on the causeways, whether it’s checkpoints, just really to assist in their mission of what they’re trying to accomplish,” said Camacho.
And starting Thursday, a crackdown on crowds will begin to help prevent a repeat of last year’s spring break chaos. That’s when back-to-back shootings left two people dead.
During March 2023 alone, police arrested 537 people and two people were shot, so for 2024, the City of Miami Beach has announced its breakup with spring break.
City officials said they’re ditching their toxic relationship and setting up new rules.
Many of these restrictions revolve around parking. There will be a $30 flat rate at South Beach garages and surface lots on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Miami Beach residents excluded.
The parking garage and lot closures take over starting at 6 a.m. on Thursday for the next two weeks. There will also be a $100 flat rate for the 42nd Street surface lot with residents excluded.
In addition, the non-resident tow rates south of 23rd Street will be $516. Beach parking officials told 7News that a car towed on Wednesday morning will be given back to its owner for $800.
The restrictions came as news to Joseph Nesrelleh, who is visiting from Montreal. He spoke with 7News on Wednesday night after parking his car in the garage on Seventh Street and Collins Avenue.
“I don’t know what to do. I’m thinking now they destroyed my night, my vacation,” he said.
Nesrelleh also said he noticed a large police presence.
“We realize there’s a lot of cops. A lot, lot, lot, lot of cop cars. We say there is cops more than people,” he said.
Beach access along Ocean Drive will be limited to the entrances on Fifth, 10th and 12th streets, with all accesses closing at 6 p.m. And if that’s not enough, DeSantis said he is ready and willing to take additional safety measures.
“The state stands by and is willing to help out with any additional resources that are at our disposal,” he said.
During the following two weekends, there will also be license plate readers set up along the causeways to Miami Beach. There ill also be a DUI checkpoint on Fifth Street.
Although an inconvenience for those visiting the Magic City, the measures are making life for residents, workers and travelers safer.
“They advertised very well. The streets are bare. I work overnight and I haven’t seen any type of chaos,” said one man who works near the beach.
Sidewalk seating will also be limited as Thursday marked the last day restaurants will be able to seat guests outside. Sidewalk seating will be prohibited starting Friday and will extend until Sunday, as well as next weekend.
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.