Miami Beach extended state of emergency to deal with ‘overwhelming ‘ crowds of spring breakers
Miami Beach was forced to extend a curfew and state of emergence, possibly for several weeks, after city police struggles to control shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of spring breakers last weekend ,Mayor Dan Gelber said Monday.
”It feels in some ways like our city is a tinder right now.”Gelber said cont ”it’s not just about not wearing masks and physical distancing. it’s also some of the folks coming are coming with bad intentions, so there’s been brawls and even gunplay.
”When you have these levels of crowds, you can’t really manage unless you have enormous policing, and all of that mix creates a lot peril and a lot of concern.”
In recent weeks, South Beach in Miami has witnessed unruly crowds, fighting in the streets, stampedes and police confrontations, including the use of pepper balls . Besides the arrests since February, at least five police officials have also been injured on the job during the ruckus.
In extending the unusual 8 pm to 6 am curfew till 12 April , Miami Beach authorities are aiming to ”contain the overwhelming crowd of visitors and the potential for violence, disruption and damage to property.”
The curfew is in place for four days a week, from Thursday through Sunday for three more weeks.
