It’s not us, it’s you! Spring Break off to a tame start in Miami with cops patrolling streets – but some still manage to find fun on the beach and on yachts away from the prying eyes of city’s crackdown

Spring break has gotten off to a quiet start in Miami as beachgoers say there are “more police than people” amid a crackdown on out-of-control parties.

Florida officials announced plans earlier this month to impose some of the toughest restrictions on Miami Beach after two deadly shootings erupted last year.

Restrictions include parking fees of up to $100 and early closing of bars at 6pm in an effort to curb the chaos.

Young people on TikTok vowed to break the rules, and many still have proven to do so – albeit in much smaller numbers than in recent years.

The crackdown by law enforcement is also coming at the expense of local businesses, as owners say the measure is already having a “devastating” impact on their profits.

Photos from the first day of the long holiday show bikini-clad girls partying on the beach and police officers patrolling the streets in large numbers.

Meanwhile, drone footage of the bigger picture shows how the usual swarms have diminished to more manageable levels this year compared to 2023.

Some partygoers have also chosen to enjoy their spring break away from the prying eyes of law enforcement at boat parties and yachts.

“I saw more police than people,” said one local resident Today show Monday, while another said: ‘There are a LOT of officers’.

“We’re actually surprised by how quiet everything has been,” said another local.

However, business owners said the impact on them had been ‘devastating’, with bars remaining empty for most of the day and restaurants struggling to get orders in.

Miami Beach officials defended their strict rules for this year’s spring break, saying they are necessary to prevent outbreaks of violence.

During spring break last year, 488 arrests were made in Miami Beach, of which more than 230 were felonies, and more than 100 firearms were seized.

In a widely circulated video produced by Miami Beach officials, actors discuss the city’s intention to “break with spring break.”

“It’s not us, it’s you,” an actor says to the camera.

“In March you can expect things like curfews, bag checks and limited beach access,” said another.

A third continued this message, saying, “DUI checkpoints, $100 parking and strong police enforcement of drug possession and violence” are all part of the plan.

Last year, the former mayor of Miami Beach said he wanted to cancel Spring Break after fatal chaos broke out on more than one occasion.

A curfew was imposed after two fatal shootings.

This year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he and his state-level staff are “ready to help our local communities maintain order.”

He has deployed 140 state troops to several hotspots, adding that he is ready to send additional reinforcements if necessary.

“We don’t like chaos,” he said.

“There’s a lot to do in the state, it’s a fun place to be and we want people to do that, but we’re also going to insist that people respect the law.

“Florida may be popular for spring break, but it is inhospitable to criminal activity.”