Also this year the “Spring Break” in Florida gets out of control once more: wild parties, vandalism, crime – up to shootings with injured people. Authorities and police make do with curfews and alcohol bans – but is that enough?
Sun, vacation, beach and party – this is how many students in the USA traditionally imagine their “spring break”. In reality, however, this tradition is getting more and more out of control and, especially in the southeastern state of Florida, where tens of thousands of students travel every year between February and April, it repeatedly leads to wild parties with alcohol, drugs, loud music, chaos, vandalism and crime .
“We’re not asking for Spring Break, we’re not promoting it, we’re not supporting it, we’re just enduring it,” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said at a recent news conference. “And to be honest, it’s not something we want to put up with.”
City Councilman Ricky Arriola says Spring Break tourists behaved differently than other visitors. “This is a special group that comes here at this time of year, they don’t follow civil codes of conduct. They settle disagreements with fights, stabbings, shootings and mayhem.”
“Spring Break”: At least five injured following gunshots
Miami Beach imposed a curfew last year, declared a state of emergency – and even pepper spray was used to curb the wild parties. At that time there was also great concern regarding the further spread of the corona virus, because hardly any of the celebrants wore a mask or adhered to the distance rules. Despite the currently lower incidences, this concern has not gone away – and all the others have remained: vandalism, theft and more serious crime have occurred once more.
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At least five people in Miami Beach have been injured by gunfire since Spring Break began, and at least nine police officers have been injured — though not “extremely badly,” police chief Rick Clements said. 100 weapons have already been confiscated – significantly more than last year. Several hundred people were arrested, at least temporarily.
“Spring Break”: Night curfew in Miami
The city council has now imposed a night curfew for the time being, as well as a partial alcohol sales ban. In addition, according to US media reports, further proposals were discussed, such as paying shops so that they can close as a precaution. Or to close the island above a certain capacity limit. “Our island only has a limited capacity,” says city manager Alina Hudak. “It’s not made for those kinds of crowds and it’s not possible to accommodate those crowds of people in our parks and on our streets and sidewalks.”
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The measures did not go down well with many “spring break” tourists. “I’ve never had a curfew here, I’ve never been told what to do,” Jason Cortex, visiting from New York, told local broadcaster WSVN 7. “I think that’s crazy. We are from New York City. We don’t like that kind of thing,” added his companion Artie Olivari.
“Spring Break”: “Go somewhere else”
Many companies are also not happy regarding the measures. “These shootings were random acts of some idiot who have now ruined the good times of thousands of people,” said Joshua Wallack, CEO of a company that operates a popular bar in the area. Nevertheless, he supports the measures – but also demands: “This has to be solved in the long term.”
The best way is for the tourists to simply stop arriving at all, says Mayor Gelber. “Our hope is that we can send this message to the world: ‘If you want to go to spring break, go somewhere else.’ I hear there are wonderful all inclusive resorts elsewhere. Go there, don’t come here. We don’t want those noisy crowds doing whatever they want.”
