A state of emergency and curfew in effect in Florida’s Miami Beach has been extended through the weekend due to unruly spring break crowds.
The curfew will remain in effect from Thursday through Monday beginning at midnight through 6 a.m. each evening “to mitigate dangerous and illegal conduct” as mass crowds flock to the South Florida city to soak up the warm weather, the city said in a press release.
MIAMI BEACH DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER SPRING BREAK SHOOTINGS
Businesses will be required to close, and restaurants may only stay open for delivery during the curfew hours. Essential services will not be affected by the restrictions. The sale of alcohol for off-property consumption will also be prohibited after 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The measures come after two separate shootings in recent days that wounded five people, according to NBC Miami.
A state of emergency was declared in the city Monday by City Manager Alina Hudak in response to the shootings and was set to expire Saturday before being extended by city commissioners, the outlet reported.
Four Miami Beach police officers were injured over the weekend trying to tame the wild crowds, according to a local police union.
“Officers are exhausted. The party needs to end. City officials must take immediate and firm action to ensure the safety of officers and residents,” the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police said in a tweet Sunday.
This weekend, we’ve had 4 @MiamiBeachPD officers injured. This video is a snippet of the crowds and dangers we face. Officers are EXHAUSTED. The party needs to end. City officials must take immediate and firm action to ensure the safety of officers and residents. #SpringBreak pic.twitter.com/ZpL0rk2Ch9
— Miami Beach FOP (@MiamiBeachFOP) March 20, 2022
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Anyone found in violation of the curfew could be arrested and subject to criminal prosecution.
This is the second year in a row that city officials have instituted a curfew. In 2021, more than 1,000 people were arrested after violating an 8 p.m. curfew put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
