NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
MIAMI BEACH, FL – For the first time in two years, the city of Miami Beach is easing its spring break restrictions in an effort to achieve calmer crowds.
Miami International Airport expects more than five million passengers during its 33-day spring break travel season. The periods between March 12-15 and March 19-22 are expected to generate the largest spring break crowds in Miami Beach this year.
“We are divorced from spring break,” said Christopher Bess, public information officer for the Miami Beach Police Department. “In the last two years there were no fatalities, no shootings, no chaos.”
Miami Beach launched its official “break spring break” campaign in 2024. The city implemented a strict curfew, as well as several road and parking closures. This year, the city is lifting some of those restrictions as it aims to attract more families with a series of wellness-focused events.
SPRING BREAK SHOOTING IN MIAMI BEACH LEAVES 1 DEAD AND DISMISSES THE CROWD
A crowd of people enjoy the warm weather in Miami Beach, Florida. (Amy Galo)
“Someone who was basically in a coma for ten years wakes up and sees a different Miami Beach, which is about health and wellness and not just this anything-goes party scene, because Miami Beach is not about anything-goes,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “It’s a city of law and order. We’re going to have a great spring break.”
Two people sit and look at the water in Miami Beach. (Amy Galo)
Municipal garages in the Art Deco District are open to the public this year, but will have an increased flat parking fee, ranging from $40 to $100. To help businesses affected by parking fee increases, the city will offer free transportation 24 hours a day.
“[Last year] We had barricades along some major stretches on Washington Avenue and Collins, so we’re removing a lot of those barricades to allow better access for businesses, because that’s one of the things we heard from businesses that maybe it was a little difficult to access,” Meiner said.
SPRING BREAK CRACKDOWN IN MIAMI BEACH SENDS PARTYERS TO OTHER BEACH CITIES
Dozens of business owners in Miami Beach told FOX News that crowds haven’t been as big as they used to be, leading to less foot traffic during spring break. But for some restaurants like Poseidon Greek, which experienced firsthand the chaos of last spring break, it’s a welcome change.
The storefront of the Poseidon Greek Seafood restaurant in Miami Beach, Florida. (Amy Galo)
“You see less people on the street, meaning less foot traffic, but there is a lot more business. So we have more customers. People can park and walk safely,” said Vasilis Pyliotis, owner of Poseidon Greek in Miami Beach.
He added that “there is less pedestrian traffic, but there are more real customers who want to go and spend money in the restaurant, in the stores, they are not just groups of people walking and drinking.”
Starting March 5, high-impact measures will be implemented from Thursday to Sunday throughout the month of March. That means visitors will notice an increased police presence, limited access to Ocean Drive and DUI enforcement.
MIAMI BEACH SPRING BREAK ARRESTS TOP 1,000, OFFICIALS SAY
“We will have our real-time intelligence center fully operational with over a thousand cameras throughout the city,” Bess shared. “We will also have our license plate readers operational, which can transmit in real time any information related to wanted people, stolen vehicles and illegal weapons.”
Two Miami Beach police cars parked on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida. (Amy Galo)
While the city’s restrictions will be relaxed by 2026, authorities remain committed to cracking down on crime.
“Those who come to our city and violate the law will be arrested,” Bess said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The city of Miami Beach isn’t the only Florida destination cracking down on spring breakers. Panama City Beach announced a youth curve at 8 pm. Fort Lauderdale does not allow alcohol or amplified music on the beaches, unless the alcohol is sold by an authorized hotel vendor.
“It’s a time of transition,” Pyliotis said. “It will take a couple more years to completely clean it up. We are in transition, but I think everything will be better.”