Miami Beach Curfew Rejected, But Liquor Stores to Close at 6 P.M. Following Spring Break Shootings

Miami Beach officials rejected a curfew proposal for this upcoming weekend. However, officials did restrict liquor store hours.

The decision comes after two fatal shootings amid the spring break season, CNN reported.

The City Commission held a heated debate Monday to discuss handling the last weekend of the month. On one side of the discussion, there was a push for a curfew to help keep violence off the streets. But others were against the idea that they say would punish businesses.

Some commissioners argued the third weekend of spring break – which just passed – is typically the period that sees violence. But two commissioners said it would be unfair to punish future crowds for what took place last weekend.

The popular Ultra Music Festival is set to occur in the same area. The event brings tens of thousands of electronic music fans to Bayfront Park, according to the Greater Miami convention bureau.

Four commissioners, a majority, voted no on the proposal to enforce a curfew, but six of the panel’s seven members did vote in favor of forcing liquor stores to close at 6 p.m. ET.

The commissioners noted that the city manager still has the authority to enforce emergency curfews if needed. The city had enacted a curfew that began Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and ended Monday at 6 a.m. following the shootings and police being met with large, unruly crowds.

Weapons are not allowed at the festival, and those attending will be subject to search before entering.

“By requesting entry into the event, all festivalgoers and attendees shall be subject to a thorough TSA-style pat down search, including emptying pockets and bags, and having your items examined,” the event website says.

Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez said, “Ultra weekend is not the problem. The problem is weekend number three.”

On Friday, violence erupted on South Beach amid both St. Patrick’s Day festivities and spring break celebrations. One person died, and another was injured. Police retrieved four guns.

Another person was shot and pronounced dead at the hospital, and another was injured early Sunday morning, according to a tweet from the Miami Beach Police Department.

That shooting happened near 11th Street and Ocean Drive, police confirmed.

Last year, the City of Miami Beach enforced a curfew after two shootings occurred. The nightly curfew ran from 12:01 a.m. ET Thursday and expired Monday at 6 a.m. ET. It also closed liquor stores at 6 p.m. ET.