This particular weekend of the spring break season has seen the “most bloodshed” in previous years, a Miami Beach city commissioner said, and will be the true test of whether the city's attempts to distancing themselves from mixed chaos have really worked.
Gov. Ron DeSantis sent at least 140 state troopers and other resources, such as drones and license plate readers, to Miami Beach and other popular coastal cities in a preemptive strike against spring break-related crime.
The city is trying to divorce itself from spring breakers after making 488 arrests, including 230 felonies (and two homicides) and confiscating more than 105 firearms during March Madness last year.
Miami Beach Commissioner David Suarez told “Fox & Friends'” Lawrence Jones that he and his fellow commissioners “proactively reached out to Gov. DeSantis and said, 'Hey, instead of coming last weekend “When there are no shootings, there are no stampedes. 'We want to be proactive.'”
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Miami Beach City Commissioner David Suarez said the community has seen a quieter season in light of a stricter approach to spring breakers. However, he said, this weekend has traditionally been the “most bloodshed” of previous years, and will be a real test of whether the measures are really working. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Suarez said last year's calamity “completely ruined [the city’s] as a city” and became a top concern for voters in last year's November elections. As a result, Miami Beach elected more conservative-leaning Mayor Steven Meiner and ousted former Mayor Dan Gelber.
Spring Break kicked off with a “successful” first week in Fort Lauderdale after Miami Beach's “breakup” with the annual March Madness. (US Sol/Mega)
Former FBI agent, Miami Beach resident and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker told Jones it makes a “big difference” for this year's new elected officials to “back blue” as the city fights the holiday of spring:
“Who your mayor is and who your local leaders are makes all the difference in the world in how safe your city is,” Parker said on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday morning. “If you're in policing and your local officials won't let you enforce the laws and your hands are tied, you can expect crime, you can expect violence, you can expect problems.”
“Frankly, I think a lot of people's jobs are at stake. They say, 'If we have the same problems we've had the last few years, there's going to be a problem,'” he continued. “Everyone has stepped up… and it's been beautiful… We love having guests in Miami Beach. We love having people come and enjoy the beautiful beaches we have here. But tearing up the city and forcing the residents to have to leave during spring break because they don't want to be here because it's unacceptable.
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Non-resident towing fees over $500, DUI checkpoints, restricted beach access, bag checks, curfews and a targeted advertising campaign are some of the measures the typically laid-back city has taken to keep things that way this spring.
“This year we did well and we are being proactive,” Suárez said. “The first week we had the FHP (Florida Highway Patrol), we had the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), we had a Coast Guard… The reaction from our residents and voters has been 100 percent positive”.
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Jones said that while the response from most business owners in the city to the new measures had been positive, others were upset that one of the busiest times of the year had been put on hold.
“That's understandable: When people run a business they have to make money and spring break is a good time to make money,” Parker said. “But frankly, as a former FBI agent and law enforcement officer, safety comes first and the protection of citizens comes first… There have been too many shootings, too many deaths, and frankly it has ruined the brand of Miami Beach “.
Miami Beach Police are asking visitors to clear the streets by midnight for the city's spring break curfew on March 24, 2022. (Michael Ruiz/Fox News Digital)
“I think a lot of business owners really appreciate this because they know that the clientele that comes in isn't going to trash their hotels, they're not going to trash their stores,” Parker said. “When people feel safe, they will bring a different group… of people to celebrate spring break.”
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“Breaking up on spring break has worked and people are heading north,” Parker said. “I hope nothing bad happens, but I think this weekend will be the real test.”
