Miami’s Spring Break Rules Crack Down is a Mixed Bag for Businesses

By: Riley Brown | Last updated: Mar 21, 2024

It’s that time of year again, plants are in bloom, the days start to grow long, and trouble floods the beaches and hotels of Miami in the name of “spring break.”

This year Miami Beach Mayor Steve Meiner had a plan, and with the help from law enforcement executed it to perfection. The results pleased locals on many levels.

What Makes a Safer Spring Break?

A midnight curfew, bag checks, DUI checkpoints, and increased police presence all helped lead to the calmest spring break in years.

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Miami Beach Spring Break postcard

Source: Wikicommons

The residents weren’t the only ones pleased with the changes. Businesses have performed better as a result. What are considered “drastic actions’ made streets safer, and kept hotels and restaurants full.

How Last Years Spring 'Broke'

Tragedy struck in Miami Beach during Spring Break of 2023 when gunfire killed one individual and wounded another.

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Bad Spring Break

Source: Dall-E

It was the second shooting in as many years and was one of many reasons more dramatic action needed to be taken to secure the streets during the annual craze.

Is This Crackdown Enough? Or are Florida and Desantis Doomed?

Despite the law changes and dispatching as many as 140 state troopers, the event has already included over 250 busts including one featuring a crazed gun waving teen. 

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Miami Beach postcard

Source: Wikicommons

The problem is far from solved. While Miami Beach has new laws helping stem the tide, a shooting in Jacksonville left one dead and two injured.

Will Florida "Lose" Spring Break?

While early indications suggest Miami is benefitting from the changes, Florida is far from the only warm weather locale for college coeds to wreak depravity drenched havoc.

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Lake Havasu Boats

Source: Dall-E

Texas provides alternatives to name just one. Are Desantis and Florida capable of threading the needle of keeping Spring Break business without also damaging infrastructure and creating a dangerous situation? Only time will tell.