Miami Beach announces strict new rules in a bid to prevent a repeat of the chaos of 2023, in which two people died, with curfews and beach closures created to try to control crowds.

Florida officials will impose some of the strictest restrictions in Miami Beach to prevent a repeat of the 2023 spring break chaos that led to two fatal shootings and hundreds of arrests.

The Miami Beach City Commission announced earlier this month that new rules will empower the city to impose curfews and beach closures if necessary.

Commissioner David Suárez said: ‘We are going to close it. This time we mean it. We are not taking half measures. “We are really doing everything we can to put an end to spring break.”

Commissioner Alex Fernandez delivered a similarly strong message: ‘We are closing the door on spring break once and for all. Lawlessness will not be tolerated in Miami Beach.

The decision comes after the tumultuous spring break of 2023, marked by two fatal shootings, nearly 500 arrests, the seizure of more than 100 firearms and numerous police confrontations and fights.

Visitors and residents can expect a significant police presence and strict enforcement of open container and noise laws during the peak spring break season in mid-March.

In addition, it is necessary to implement curfews for two weekends from March 7 to 10 and March 14 to 17.

Other measures include bag checks, restricted beach access, DUI checkpoints, license plate readers, liquor store closures at 8 p.m., and increased police enforcement for drug possession and violent behavior.

The towing fee will double to $516, four parking lots in South Beach will close and sidewalk cafes on famous Ocean Drive will close if necessary.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner said this week: “We need to correct these problems, we need to do it now and we are going to be very proactive.” And if someone thinks we’re doing too much, well, that means we’re probably doing it right.”

Law enforcement authorities also vowed to crack down on the wild party season, as Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones assured the public during a spring break news conference on February 15.

Meiner saying: ‘The measures I proposed and approved by our Commission will ensure that our residents, businesses and visitors are safe and prosper during spring break.

‘Everyone is invited to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of our city. But we are a city of law and order and we will enforce our laws year-round, even during spring break in March.’

Last year, Miami Beach declared a state of emergency and instituted a curfew on March 19 after two shootings over the weekend that left two people dead.

The city banned revelers from being outdoors between March 19 and 20 due to shootings and “excessively large and unruly crowds.”

South Georgia State College student Jordan Idahosa, 21, was shot and killed Friday night in the city’s South Beach neighborhood.

Police said in their report that a suspect was in custody and that four firearms had been seized.

A second person was shot just over 24 hours later and died at 3 a.m. Sunday in a second shooting, four blocks from where Idahosa was killed.

Dontavious Polk, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, was arrested for the fatal shooting later Sunday, charged with first-degree murder and held overnight, according to an arrest report.

But these incidents did not deter partygoers as they were seen getting into a car, fighting in the streets and even vandalizing a muddy store on the main street despite the city instituting a curfew on Sunday. the night.

One reveler, Ronny, 22, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, told the Miami Herald that she was just feet away from the shooting that erupted at Seventh Street and Ocean Drive.

“Nobody’s trying to be dodging bullets on vacation,” he said as he returned to the crime scene to continue fuming.

“I always have fun anyway, but you all have to relax with that shooting stuff,” he said, adding that some of his peers are “down here trying to recreate ‘Scarface.'”

More than 100 spring break tourists gathered at the beach near where the shooting occurred a day later. Drink, dance and hang out listening to Afro Beats and Billboard hits.

In 2022, the city imposed a midnight curfew following two shootings also on Ocean Drive.

The year before, there were about 1,000 arrests and dozens of guns confiscated during a rowdy spring break that prompted Miami Beach officials to take steps aimed at calming the situation.

Speaking about this year’s laws, Jones said: ‘If you’re looking to cause trouble, don’t come to Miami Beach.

‘We are fully prepared to ensure our city is safe for everyone. Our message is simple: we want people to enjoy their stay here, but we will not tolerate the behavior we have witnessed in recent years.’