Miami beach officials have declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew beginning Sunday night during spring break after two fatal shootings and rowdy chaotic crowds that police have had difficulty controlling.
In a press release, the city said the curfew would be from 11:59 p.m. Sunday until 6:a.m. Monday, and that an additional curfew would likely be put in place on Thursday through next week Monday, March 27, 2023.
According to the release, the curfew mainly affects South Beach, the most popular party location for spring breakers.
The release said the two separate shootings on Friday night and early Sunday claimed two lives, and that the “excessively large and unruly crowds” led to the decision.
Miami Beach Mayor, Dan Gelber said on Sunday that the crowds and presence of numerous firearms had “created a peril that cannot go unchecked” despite massive police presence and many city-sponsored activities meant to keep people busy.
“We don’t ask for spring break in our city. We don’t want spring break in our city. lt’s too rowdy, it’s too much disorder, and it’s too difficult to police,” Gelber said.
Gelber disclosed that city officials would meet on Monday to discuss possible curfew for next weekend, noting that the “managers emergency powers are limited to only 72 hours.”
According to Miami Beach police, the latest shootings happened about 3:30 a.m.on Sunday on Ocean Drive in South Beach.