Florida police issue 'spring break reality check': Visit but follow the rules
Miami Beach, Florida, is continuing a cheeky plea to try to ward off lawbreaking spring breakers this year, as police departments around the state brace for the influx of visitors.
Florida had more than 140 million visitors in the 2024 spring break season, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Thursday. Miami joins Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in the top five most popular domestic destinations for spring break travel according to AAA.
But when the world was beginning to emerge from the pandemic in 2021, partiers flocked to Miami Beach and law enforcement was overwhelmed with more than 1,000 arrests. The following year, several people were injured in shootings. Last year, Miami Beach said they were "breaking up" with spring break.
Even as places like Fort Lauderdale lend a friendly welcome to spring breakers, many cities with spring break reputations are ramping up police patrols, asking the state to help with enforcement and issuing stern warnings to those preparing to visit.
Miami Beach 'spring break reality check' touts fun-killing rules
Like last year's "breaking up" with spring break viral campaign video, Miami Beach is warning travelers that their spring break party plans could be thwarted by tough restrictions.
In a reality television-style scripted video, a group of friends cheer about heading to the area for spring break, but things take a turn for their vacation because of the strict rules in place.
"Once we got to Miami Beach, things went downhill fast," one woman says in the video, before police crash their beach party, force them to dump out alcohol and kill the speaker. The group argues over the curfew, pricey parking and beach regulations.
"The show is fake," the video states. "But the rules ... are very real."
By mid-March of 2024, Miami Beach Police were pleased with the progress they had made, a spokesperson told Paste BN at the time.
"2024 was the most successful and smoothest spring break we've had here in a long time," DeSantis said Thursday at the news conference in Miami Beach. The state listed 36 felony arrests and 51 misdemeanor arrests for spring break in 2024, with 16 felonies and 17 misdemeanors coming from Miami Beach.
Still, DeSantis said state law enforcement is standing by with more than 100 state troopers, drones and K9 units to help local agencies around the state.
"We can't have things just descend into madness and mayhem and chaos," DeSantis said at the news conference. "I think we're going to have another successful season in 2025."
Fort Lauderdale keeps welcoming 'everyone under the sun'
While Miami Beach tries to ward off its rowdy visitors, Fort Lauderdale is eager to welcome tourists again in 2025, Mayor Dean Trantalis told Paste BN in an interview Wednesday.
"We have a different vibe here in Fort Lauderdale versus Miami Beach," Trantalis said. "I think the mood is edgier in Miami Beach and honestly, I think the beach is sort of an afterthought when it comes to the reason for that destination. Most people are drawn to the party scenes."
But the relationship wasn't always harmonious between spring breakers and Fort Lauderdale. Trantalis previously said in the 1970s and 1980s, spring breakers came in hundreds of thousands, overwhelming the city. It led to the same kinds of pushback that Miami Beach is issuing, until crowds came under control.
Some initiatives to keep spring break safe are still in place from Feb. 23 until April 12, like additional police presence and prohibitions on coolers, alcohol and amplified music on the beach.
"Everyone under the sun is welcome," Trantalist said. "We appreciate everyone ... regardless of their background, their faith, their race, who they love, Fort Lauderdale is a place for everyone."
Police across Florida issue spring break warnings: 'We're a real fun beach, but we don't have a real fun jail'
DeSantis said spring break party reputations have moved around the state, and therefore various cities have had crackdowns at one time or another. In fact, several places have issued stern warnings to partiers and restrictions this year.
"We're a real fun beach, but we don't have a real fun jail," said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford at a February news conference along with Panama City Beach Police Department, as reported by the Panama City News Herald, part of the Paste BN Network. The Bay County Sheriff's Office and the Panama City Beach Police, both located in the Florida Panhandle, said they are coordinating together and with the state ahead of the crowds to try to stop drugs and violence from coming to the area. The PCBPD chief mentioned spring breaks of the past that would no longer be tolerated.
Farther down the Gulf Coast in the Tampa Bay area, the Clearwater Police Department is implementing its usual extra police patrols on the beach, spokesperson Rob Shaw said in an email. Officials also want visitors to swim near a lifeguard, avoid leaving items unattended and be prepared for lots of traffic.
In Volusia County, where Daytona Beach has long had a reputation for being a spring break party destination, Sheriff Mike Chitwood issued a stern warning.
"Let the word go forth: If you act a fool, we have a place for you," he said in a Facebook video. "If you don't respect our community, you're going to get disrespected by law enforcement."
Contributing: Dylan Gentile, C.A. Bridges
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at Paste BN. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com, and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.