Florida Tells Rowdy Spring Breakers: Don't Even Think About It Because We're Ready

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — March marks the beginning of spring and with it, Spring Break. Florida, the birthplace of college students taking advantage of tropical weather during the week off, is taking steps to clamp down on the chaotic and sometimes deadly Spring Breaks that have hit Miami Beach hard in recent years.

Featuring members of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and a “Law & Order” sign, complete with an alligator, on the podium, Governor Ron DeSantis laid out the steps the state is taking to provide support to Miami Beach and other popular Spring Break destinations. The message was simple: have a good time, but you will be held accountable if you break the law.

The mayor of Miami Beach has made clear in the weeks leading up to March that the city is breaking up with Spring Break. The multiple shootings that resulted in deaths in the past few years were the final straw. As part of the preventative measures, Miami Beach is enforcing:

A curfew, bag checks, early beach closures, DUI checkpoints, and parking and lane closures. Liquor stores are closing early. The city’s police department will be reinforced by FHP, who had to come in after last year when a state of emergency of emergency was declared. License plate readers will also be used to flag drivers with active warrants or who are using stolen vehicles. Even the towing rate for nonresidents has doubled to $516, plus a $30 admin fee.

FHP is deploying rapid response teams in southern Florida to be on standby to address any critical situations. Uniformed and plainclothes officers will also flood crowd-heavy areas.

“[Florida] is a fun place to be…We also are going to insist that people respect the law, that order is kept in the streets, and that our residents and local businesses are not negatively impacted by people who are here visiting. We have a formula in place to be able to do that,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis added it made sense for the state to have a plan in place to prevent lawlessness as opposed to responding to it at the last second.

“I’m so appreciative of the partnership we have with the Governor and the state of Florida, FHP, FDLE…The Governor was very clear and unwavering, ‘You have our commitment. We’re a partner. We’re going to help you. Just ask, whatever you need, just ask,’” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.

While Miami Beach is heavily discouraging nonresidents from visiting during March, other cities are taking a more relaxed approach. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis told USA Today his city is “embracing” Spring Breakers.

“We understand that spring break often brings young people who are looking to have a good time," Trantalis said. "As long as you know, they maintain a conduct that you know doesn't destroy property...we feel that spring break is a welcome opportunity for Fort Lauderdale to host.”

While many understand the steps being taken to prevent chaos, some social media users and even a columnist at the Miami Herald are saying the plans are racist because it is cracking down on black and brown people from having fun. Race was not mentioned during Tuesday’s event.