While Miami may have ‘broken up’ with spring break this year, the same cannot be said for Fort Lauderdale as the city’s mayor welcomes South Beach’s castoff revelers who have been flocking to their beaches in droves.
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the packed-out beaches of the city, situated just twenty miles from Miami Beach, as they soaked up the sunshine on Tuesday.
Officials in Miami, Florida, announced plans earlier this year to bring about tougher restrictions after two deadly shootings last year.
Police and the mayor’s chief of staff in Fort Lauderdale said it had been a successful week with limited crime, as they look ahead to a tougher challenge – with continued celebrations coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day.
Casey Liening, spokesperson for local police, told Fox News: ‘Our spring break crowds have been as expected so far this year, with this week being the busiest week we are anticipating. We have not had any major issues or disturbances.’
Police and the mayor’s chief of staff in Fort Lauderdale said it had been a successful week with limited crime
Large groups formed on the beach on Tuesday morning and into the afternoon
Crowds descended on the beaches of the city as they soaked up the sun for the first few days of Spring Break
Friends posed together in their bikinis as they kick started their spring break celebrations in the Florida city
Officers could be seen patrolling the beach area of the city on horse back as spring breakers indulged
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the packed-out beaches of the city, situated just twenty miles from Miami Beach
Party goers flocked to the beach in the south of Florida to celebrate Spring Break, with St Patrick’s Day also coming up this weekend
Police told Fox News that they had made nine arrests between March 4 and March 9, with only two arrests being related to spring breakers
Local officers can be seen in this picture talking to a group of revelers on the beach on Tuesday, it is unclear what for
Groups of people flock to Fort Lauderdale beach where police presence is still high, on March 12, 2024
Prior to the spring break, Mayor Dean Trantalis said there were designated areas where alcohol was permitted, as well as safety measures including daterape drug tests, rideshare options and Narcan.
During a press conference at the beginning of March, Trantalis said: ‘We want to make your spring break experience the best experience you’ve ever had.
‘Why? Because we want you to come back. We want you to come back next year. We want you to come back in future years, and, hey, maybe you want to make Fort Lauderdale your home.’
Police told Fox News that they had made nine arrests between March 4 and March 9, with only two arrests being related to spring breakers.
One arrest was in connection with disorderly conduct, while another was a notice to appear for disorderly conduct.
Forty five minutes south of Fort Lauderdale in Miami, curtailments put in include parking fees reaching $100 and early bar closures at 6pm in an attempt to rein in the chaos.
City Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who pushed for Miami to announce this year’s spring break measures, sent an email to constituents celebrating the calm start to spring break this past weekend.
In it, Fernandez wrote: ‘No shooting. No stampedes. No fatalities. What a difference.’ The city’s goal for weeks was to break up with Spring Break, which the New York Post said was a ‘bust’.
In a social media post of the headline used by the outlet was shared on social media, former Miami Mayor Philip Levine posted the headline with hand-clapping emojis.
A ramped-up police presence was noticeable along the beach in Miami with officers on bicycles, buggies and SUVs seen patrolling the area. Others were seen leading K-9s between sun bathers on the crowded sands.
In contrast, there was barely a patch of open sand to be had on some stretches of Fort Lauderdale Beach, often dubbed as ‘Spring Break Central.’
As night descended on Fort Lauderdale, revelers kept going as the bars and clubs near the beach area filled up with party goers
There was barely a patch of open sand to be had on some stretches of Fort Lauderdale Beach, often dubbed as ‘Spring Break Central.’
Police told Fox News that they had made nine arrests between March 4 and March 9, with only two arrests being related to spring breakers
One group of friends can be seen posing for photographs after the sun went down on the Florida city
The week is only just getting started with a crowd seen here posing for a picture on Tuesday night
As night descended on the beach area, party goers continued drinking well into the night with groups pictured posing outside of bars and clubs
Photographs from the second day of the long vacation show bikini-clad girls partying on the beach and cops patrolling the streets and sand in large numbers – some on horseback.
Some girls, leaving little to the imagination, posed for photos in the ocean – presumably to make their pals stuck at home jealous of their tropical vacation.
Elsewhere, swathes of half-dressed youngsters danced at daytime parties on the beach, in the back of pickup trucks, and on boats rented out for the day.
As night descended on the beach area, party goers continued drinking well into the night with groups pictured posing outside of bars and clubs.
Spring Break last year saw 488 arrests in Miami Beach, more than 230 of which were felony offenses, and more than 100 firearms were seized.
In a widely circulated video produced by Miami Beach officials, the aim appeared to put people off coming to the popular beachfront city.
Actors discussed the city’s intention to ‘break up with spring break.’ ‘It’s not us, it’s you,’ says one actor to camera.
A group of women pose for a photo on Fort Lauderdale beach on March 12, 2024
Photographs from the second day of the long vacation show bikini-clad girls partying on the beach and cops patrolling the streets and sand in large numbers – some on horseback
Spring breakers cool off with a drink while taking a photo at Fort Lauderdale beach
Spring Break last year saw 488 arrests in Miami Beach, more than 230 of which were felony offenses, and more than 100 firearms were seized
‘This March you can expect things like curfews, bag checks, and restricted beach access,’ says another.
A third continues the message, saying, ‘DUI checkpoints, $100 parking, and strong police enforcement for drug possession and violence’ are all part of the plan.
Last year, the former Miami Beach Mayor said he wanted to cancel Spring Break after fatal chaos broke out on more than one occasion. A midnight curfew went into place following two deadly shootings.
This year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that he and his state level employees are ‘ready to help our local communities maintain order’.
He’s ordered 140 state troopers out to various hot spots, and added that he is willing to send additional backup if necessary. ‘We don’t welcome mayhem,’ he said.
‘The state has a lot going on, it’s a fun place to be at and we want to see people do that, but we also are going to insist that people respect the law.
‘Florida may be popular for Spring Break, but it is inhospitable to criminal activity.’
