The spring break are the most important break in the United States. Thousands of young university students take advantage of the rest weeks between March and April to travel to different destinations and enjoy with their friends.
One of the most visited places is Miami Beach – Located in the state of florida– where every year students gather to spend endless days of beach, partying, alcohol, music and drugs. However, during In 2024, the town council will seek to end the lack of control of these festivities.
Spring Break 2024: Miami’s containment plan
The Spring Break period has already begun in the United States. However, the Ocean Drive – one of the most famous avenues in Miami – It is calmer than ever: there is no smell of marijuana, no alcohol in extreme quantities, nor boys blocking traffic with their dances in the middle of the street.
The Miami Beach city council this year tried to limit the iconic university celebration after editions full of scandals. In 2023, during the holidays, Two shootings occurred in the streets that left two dead and a city in mourning..
But by 2024 the authorities sought to make the celebration much more controlled. For it, Numerous police officers were deployed throughout the neighborhood., breathalyzer tests increased and They closed all the parking lots in the areaexcept one, which costs $100 during the weekends when more visitors are expected.
Furthermore, the bars and restaurants cannot open their terraces on the sidewalksand establishments that sell alcohol must close at 8:00 p.m.. Also, the authorities determined the Closing of the beaches at 6:00 p.m.four hours before the usual time.
All decisions were accompanied by a strong campaign on social networks. “We need to talk. Our idea of a good time is relaxing on the beach. You just want to get drunk in public and ignore the laws. So we break up with you“says a spot in reference to the measures taken by the city council.
At the moment, the celebration is just beginning but the streets of Miami Beach have an aura of tranquility that they didn’t have years ago. However, there are still several weeks before returning to school.
The reaction of Miami tourists
Shannon Mckinneyuniversity student from New Orleansfound out about the rule changes upon arrival and did not hesitate to express his indignation: “It’s pretty crazy because we just want to have fun. We have not come to promote violence. “We took a long trip and spent money.”
Student response varies case by case. For her part, Conae Rhodes, a young woman originally from Virginia, was more understanding of the new rules: “I can understand why they act like this. There are always people who don’t know how to behave or who drink too much.“.
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Despite the lack of control that the weeks of celebrations can mean, The response among Miami Beach residents is not heterogeneous either. The City Council’s plan did not meet with unanimity among local residents.
For example, Joel Hernández, a 54-year-old musician and resident of Miami Beach, believes that “there is a need to improve security“although he also thinks that the measures imposed are”excessive“. “For me, who live a few blocks from the center, this is very complicated. It seems like we are entering a war zone, with everything closed. And in the end one does not feel safe, on the contrary, one is more afraid that something is going to happen.“he explained.
On the other hand, there is also the economic flipside of the measures taken: thousands of students come to the city and generate income for all types of businesses, which today are affected by the city council’s decisions. Janet Alvarado, an employee at a restaurant located on Ocean Drive, criticized this decrease in income: “Now what we have is enormous security, but we have no clients“.
The truth is that the Spring Break 2024 It will be remembered more for its restrictions than for its crazy celebrations. It remains to be seen if the students return the following year or They will look for new horizons where they can celebrate their vacations.
Source: Ambito
