Miami Beach Announces Plans To Crack Down On Spring Breakers; $100 Parking Fees, Limited Beach Access and $500 Towing Fees for Non-Residents

Miami Beach is continuing its fight to curb spring break. They have announced additional measures the city is taking to lessen the chaos they see year after year.

On Thursday, Miami Beach Mayor Steve Meiner unveiled the details of what officials are doing to prepare for the March madness. “We welcome everyone to come to our city,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steve Meiner.

Meiner wants visitors to know that the city’s message is that everyone is welcome to have fun, but warn those that if you want to cause trouble, it’s going to be a lot harder to do and a lot harder to get away with it, WSVN news reported.

Over the past couple of years, there have been shootings, stampedes, and more during the spring break season, which is why officials are working to take control.

“We’ve tried very, very hard to mitigate some issues of spring break. People getting shot and killed,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones.

During the month of March, there will be limited beach access along with security checkpoints. After 6 p.m., the traffic pattern will change to help reduce traffic impacts south of Fifth Street.

And for those who violate parking rules, there will be a towing fee for non-residents of $516.

Officials also said that during the two busiest weekends in March, parking fees will increase to $100, sidewalk cafes along Ocean Drive will close, and a DUI checkpoint will be along the 400 block of Fifth Street. Businesses that rent out low-speed vehicles, along with scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, and Slingshots, will be suspended from operating.

Police said the eastbound lanes on the MacArthur and Julia Tuttle causeways will have license plate readers.

“Coming across the causeways during the evening hours will be long and slow,” said Jones.

“Come here, enjoy, but don’t come here looking for trouble. We’ve had enough,” said Meiner.

A free trolley will be available on the weekends of March 8 and 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. for those looking to get around the city.