While Miami may have ‘broken up’ with spring break this year, the same cannot be said for Fort Lauderdale as the city’s mayor welcomes South Beach’s smashing revelers who have flocked to their beaches in droves.
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the city’s packed beaches, just 20 miles from Miami Beach, as they soaked up the sunshine on Tuesday.
Officials in Miami, Florida, announced plans earlier this year to impose tighter restrictions after two fatal shootings last year.
Fort Lauderdale police and the mayor’s chief of staff said it had been a successful week with limited crime as they look forward to a tougher challenge – with continued celebrations coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day.
This was told by Casey Liening, spokesman for the local police Fox News: ‘Our spring break has been as expected so far this year, with this week being the busiest we expect. We haven’t had any major problems or disruptions.’
Fort Lauderdale police and the mayor’s chief of staff said it had been a successful week with limited crime
People descended on the city’s beaches as they soaked up the sun for the first few days of Spring Break
Friends posed together in their bikinis as they kicked off their spring break in Florida
Officers could be seen patrolling the beach area of the town on horseback as spring breakers indulged
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the city’s packed beaches, just 20 miles from Miami Beach
Partygoers flocked to the beach in South Florida to celebrate Spring Break, and St Patrick’s Day is also coming up this weekend
Police told Fox News they made nine arrests between March 4 and March 9, with only two arrests related to spring breakers
Local officers can be seen in this photo talking to a group of revelers on the beach on Tuesday, it is unclear what
Before spring break, Mayor Dean Trantalis said there were designated areas where alcohol was allowed, as well as safety measures, including date-rape drug testing, rideshare options and Narcan.
During a press conference in early March, Trantalis said: ‘We want to make your spring break experience the best experience you’ve ever had.
‘Why? Because we want you to come back. We want you to come back next year. We want you to come back for years to come, and hey, maybe you’ll make Fort Lauderdale your home.’
Police told Fox News they made nine arrests between March 4 and March 9, with only two arrests related to spring breakers.
One arrest was for disorderly conduct, while another was a summons to appear for disorderly conduct.
Forty-five minutes south of Fort Lauderdale in Miami, restrictions imposed include parking fees that reach $100 and early bar closings at 18.00 in an attempt to rein in the chaos.
City Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who pushed for Miami to announce this year’s spring break measures, sent an email to voters celebrating the quiet start to spring break this past weekend.
In it, Fernandez wrote: ‘No shooting. No stamps. No fatal accidents. What a difference.’ The city’s goal for weeks was to break up with Spring Break, which the New York Post said was a ‘bust.’
In a social media post of the headline used by the outlet shared on social media, former Miami Mayor Philip Levine posted the headline with clapping emojis.
An increased police presence was noticeable along the beach in Miami, with officers on bicycles, buggies and SUVs seen patrolling the area. Others were seen leading K-9s between sunbathers on the crowded sand.
In contrast, there was barely a patch of open sand to be had on some stretches of Fort Lauderdale Beach, often dubbed ‘Spring Break Central’.
As night fell on Fort Lauderdale, revelry continued as the bars and clubs near the beach area filled up with revelers
There was barely a spot of open sand to be had on some stretches of Fort Lauderdale Beach, often dubbed ‘Spring Break Central’.
Police told Fox News they made nine arrests between March 4 and March 9, with only two arrests related to spring breakers
A group of friends can be seen posing for photographs after the sun set over the Florida city
The week has only just begun with an audience seen here posing for a picture on Tuesday night
As night fell on the beach area, revelers continued to drink well into the night with groups pictured posing outside bars and clubs
Photographs from the second day of the long holiday show bikini-clad girls partying on the beach and cops patrolling the streets and sand in large numbers – some on horseback.
Leaving little to the imagination, some girls posed for pictures in the ocean – presumably to make their friends at home jealous of their tropical vacation.
Elsewhere, sections of half-clothed youths danced at daytime parties on the beach, in the back of pickup trucks and on boats rented out for the day.
As night fell on the beach area, revelers continued to drink well into the night with groups pictured posing outside bars and clubs.
Spring Break last year saw 488 arrests in Miami Beach, more than 230 of which were felonies, and more than 100 firearms were seized.
In a widely circulated video produced by Miami Beach officials, the goal appeared to be to discourage people from coming to the popular beach town.
Actors discussed the city’s intention to ‘break up with spring break.’ “It’s not us, it’s you,” an actor says to the camera.
Photographs from the second day of the long holiday show bikini-clad girls partying on the beach and cops patrolling the streets and sand in large numbers – some on horseback
Spring Break last year saw 488 arrests in Miami Beach, more than 230 of which were felonies, and more than 100 firearms were seized
“In March, expect things like curfews, bag checks and limited access to the beach,” says another.
A third continues the message, saying: ‘DUI checkpoints, $100 parking and strong police enforcement for drug possession and violence’ are all part of the plan.
Last year, the former Miami Beach mayor said he wanted to cancel Spring Break after fatal chaos broke out on more than one occasion. A midnight curfew went into effect after two fatal shootings.
This year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he and his statewide staff are ‘ready to help our communities maintain order.’
He has ordered 140 state troopers out to various hot spots and added that he is willing to send additional backup if needed. “We do not welcome chaos,” he said.
‘The state has a lot going on, it’s a fun place to be and we want to see people doing it, but we also want to insist that people respect the law.
“Florida may be popular for Spring Break, but it is inhospitable to criminal activity.”