Miami Beach announces tough new rules in bid to avoid repeat of 2023 chaos which saw two killed – with curfews and beach closures created to try and tame crowds

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

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

Commissioner David Suarez said: “We are closing the program. This time we really mean it. We don’t take half measures. We are really doing everything we can to end spring break.”

Commissioner Alex Fernandez delivered a similarly strong message, saying, “We are closing our doors once and for all on Spring Break. Lawlessness will not be tolerated in Miami Beach.

The decision follows the tumultuous spring break of 2023, marked by two fatal shootings, nearly 500 arrests, the seizure of more than 100 firearms and numerous police clashes and brawls.

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

In addition, curfews may be introduced for two weekends from March 7 to 10 and March 14 to 17.

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

Towing fees will double to $516, four parking garages in South Beach will be closed and sidewalk cafes on the famed Ocean Drive will be closed if necessary.

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

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

Meiner said: “The measures I have 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 law and order city and we will enforce our laws year-round, including during March Spring Break.”

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 banned partygoers from being outside between March 19 and 20 because of the shootings and “excessively large and unruly crowds.”

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

The police report in their report that a suspect has been arrested and four firearms have 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 later Sunday for the fatal shooting and charged with first-degree murder and held overnight, according to an arrest report.

But these incidents have not deterred partygoers as they jumped on a car, brawled in the street and even vandalized a muddy shop on the main road, despite the city imposing a curfew on Sunday evening.

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 imposed a curfew after two shootings, also on Ocean Drive.

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.’