The City of Miami Beach declared a state of emergency Sunday morning after two shootings resulted in two fatalities and “stampedes” caused injuries to several people during spring break.
The City is imposing a curfew beginning 11:59 p.m. Sunday night. The curfew primarily affects South Beach, a popular party spot for spring break revelers. Violators will be subject to arrest.
“We don’t ask for spring break in our city. We don’t want spring break in our city. It’s too rowdy, it’s too much disorder and it’s too difficult to police,” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said in a video message Sunday, as reported by WFMZ.
Gelber said the crowds and the presence of numerous firearms “created a peril that cannot go unchecked” the outlet also reported.
City Manager Alina T. Hudak signed the declaration Sunday, according to a press release also issued Sunday.
Two shootings over the weekend of March 17 resulted in two fatalities and injuries to others. The incidents also created “stampedes that caused injuries to several people, including two volunteer goodwill ambassadors,” the emergency declaration states.
“In response to the two shootings and the excessively large and unruly crowds, and to mitigate dangerous and illegal conduct, the City of Miami Beach has ordered a state of emergency and a 11:59 p.m. curfew to take effect on Sunday, March 19, 2023 through 6 a.m. Monday, March 20, 2023,” according to the press release.
Sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption will be prohibited in the curfew area after 6 p.m. on Sunday, the press release also says.
Commercial businesses are to admit their last guests in time to get them out by 11:59, with the exception of hotels. Non hotel businesses may operate during the curfew period for delivery only, according to the city’s press release.
The curfew does not apply to the provision of essential services nor to city residents requiring access to or from their homes nor to hotel guests and employees.
“Any violation of these emergency measure(s) shall subject the violator(s) to arrest and
criminal prosecution pursuant to Sections 26-36 and 1-14 of the City Code, or Fla.
Stats. 252.47 and 252.50,” according to the press release.
A separate emergency declaration will be implemented to cover Thursday, March 23 through Monday, March 27, according to the five-page emergency declaration. The city will hold a special commission meeting Monday to discuss future restrictions.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!