Miami cops vow to crackdown on wild party season and curb violence after 2023 saw two deadly shootings and 488 arrests: Security measures include CLOSING sidewalk cafes and shutting down liquor stores at 8:00pm

The city of Miami is introducing new laws and ‘separating’ from the spring breakers after two fatal shootings and more than a hundred firearms were seized last year.

Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones and newly elected Mayor Steven Meiner are ‘implementing strict new measures’ after two men were shot dead in March 2023.

The new measures include bag checks, limited beach access, DUI checkpoints, license plate readers, liquor stores closing at 8 p.m. and increased police enforcement of public alcohol consumption, drug possession and violent behavior.

During last year’s spring break, approximately 105 firearms were seized and 488 arrests made by officials.

Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones said of the measures: “We have been dealing with spring break for quite some time now. Essentially we want to separate ourselves from Spring Break’

During a spring break press conference on Feb. 15, Meiner said said: ‘The measures I have proposed and approved by our Commission will ensure that our residents, businesses and visitors are safe and thrive during spring break,

‘Everyone is invited to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of our city. But we are a law and order city and we will enforce our laws year-round, including during March Spring Break.”

City officials have predicted that the weekends of March 7 to 10 and March 14 to 17 will generate the largest spring break crowds this year and have therefore taken additional measures for this time.

Some of the additional measures include a flat $100 parking fee, the ban on slow vehicles such as golf carts and motorized scooters, and the sidewalk cafes on Ocean Drive being closed during these two weekends.

Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones said about the measures: ‘We have been struggling with the spring holidays for some time now. Actually, we want to break away from Spring Break.”

Girls spend their spring break on Panama City Beach, Florida

Groups of Spring Breakers came together while spending the days in Fort Lauderdale

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

The city had announced the crackdown, banning revelers from being outdoors between March 19 and 20 because of the shootings and “excessively large and unruly crowds.”

On March 17, one man was killed and another injured as dozens of people scattered and took cover.

The injured man, who was initially in critical condition, was later released from hospital.

Four weapons were recovered at the scene and the suspect was reportedly “fully cooperative.”

According to Miami Beach police, a second shooting happened early on the morning of March 19 on Ocean Drive in South Beach.

A man was shot and later died at a hospital, and officers chased a suspect on foot. Their identities were not released, nor were there any possible charges.

But these incidents did not deter partygoers as they returned to the beach to party.

This is the first time in three years that students have been able to truly enjoy spring break without the threat of Covid restrictions — and their incessant partying proves they’re making the most of the new-found freedom.

Two cheerful students celebrating a break from their college semester took turns jumping on each other and fighting as the crowd around them cheered and shouted

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

“Nobody tries to dodge bullets on vacation,” she said as she returned to the scene of the crime to continue rampaging.

“I’m always having a good time anyway, but y’all need to chill with the shooting thing,” she said, adding that some of her peers are “down here trying to recreate ‘Scarface.’

More than 100 spring breakers gathered on the beach near the shooting a day later. Drink, dance and hang out while Afro Beats and Billboard get hits.

In 2022, the city had imposed a curfew after two shootings, including on Ocean Drive — the same was not imposed after this week’s shooting.

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

Regarding this year’s laws, Jones said, “If you want 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 it here, but we will not tolerate the behavior we have seen in recent years.’