Violent Spring Break in Miami Beach: Police gassed aggressive tourists

Miami Beach Police kicked off what was to be an active spring break by firing tear gas canisters to disperse a crowd that had surrounded the officers who were arresting them.

Two police officers were injured on Friday evening and had to be hospitalizedthe Miami Beach Police Department tweeted. They were released on Saturday morning but were still off duty due to their injuries, the department said in a statement.

The festivities and the arrival of tourists continued smoothly in the region, as Florida reports an average of nearly 5,000 COVID-19 infections per day.

James Harrison, 19, from Brooklyn, was arrested for assaulting a police officer, violently resisting a police officer, inciting a riot and disturbing public order. Harrison yelled obscenities at the cops when they tried to disperse a group of more than 200 people who were blocking traffic, smoked marijuana and carried open containers, according to a police report released on Saturday.

Harrison then shoved a cop and the crowd surrounded the officers, who were outnumbered at the intersection of the heart of Miami Beach’s popular dining and nightlife districtsays the report.

Agents fired tear gas projectiles “in view of the large, aggressive and unruly crowd and immediate threats to police safety”, According to the report.

A police officer hit Harrison with his body after holding him by the collar of his police vest as the officer attempted to handcuff the suspect, authorities said. The move was an attempt to get away from Harrison, according to the report.

Once on the ground, Harrison started kicking and hugging his body to avoid being handcuffed, and one officer punched Harrison in the chest while another overpowered him with a knee on the shoulder, according to the report. The subject was taken to prison. At this time, it has not been possible to determine from official files online whether Harrison was represented by legal counsel.

Also on Friday, police seized several weapons while arresting three subjects on Washington Avenue.

From Monday 8 to Saturday 13 in the morning, the police released a report of 119 arrests (42 for crimes), 13 weapons seized and 866 citations for traffic offenses.

New incidents on Saturday

The weekend continued with intense activity for the police. The first event occurred when a woman was dancing on a moving car, for which she was arrested and called to testify.

They later arrested a 25-year-old man who had doses of crack, methamphetamine, marijuana, as well as hundreds of dollars in cash. He was arrested on seven counts of drug trafficking.

(With AP information)

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