[ad_1]
Miami Beach, Florida declared a state of emergency on Saturday over concern over a large crowd of spring breakers gathering in the city.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber (D) said during a press conference Saturday that new measures will be implemented which are “primarily intended to reduce the number of people” coming to the region.
Gelber announced an 8 p.m. curfew in the entertainment district and a restriction on eastbound traffic on city streets that will only be accessible to residents and hotel guests.
The measures will take effect at 9 p.m. Saturday and will remain in effect for 72 hours. Gelber said he would hold an emergency meeting with the City Commission on Sunday to discuss the measures.
The city then posted the emergency order on its Twitter account. According to the order, these actions are separate from those the city has put in place to fight COVID-19.
City of Miami Beach announces 8 p.m. curfew in high-impact zone starting tonight – Officials also impose additional emergency measures during school break pic.twitter.com/3lmt3FsbJw
– #MaskUpMiamiBeach (@MiamiBeachNews) March 20, 2021
The news comes as photos of the area show crowds of people who have flocked to the city and gathered on its beaches, ignoring COVID-19 protocols.
Miami Beach interim city manager Raul Aguila said on Saturday he had received emails from companies that had voluntarily closed or were unwilling to open due to the crowds.
The state of emergency marks an escalating point in the issue following reports from rowdy springbreakers this month.
Gelber told CBS News that hundreds of spring breakers have been arrested for ignoring city guidelines on coronaviruses and that police officers were injured trying to deal with the crowds.
“If you come here because you think everything is fine, you are going to have a terrible time. We will arrest you. We made hundreds and hundreds of arrests, ”Gelber said at the time.
Police had to disperse a crowd of about 200 spring breakers who were “unruly” and surrounding officers near an intersection by shooting pepperballs. The Miami Beach Police Department said at the time that several people were arrested and two officers were injured.
According to NBC News Affiliate Police in South Florida had to use pepperballs again to disperse a crowd after a brawl broke out at a restaurant.
“At night, there is no doubt that it becomes a place that feels a little out of control or a lot of out of control,” Gelber said on Saturday. “Sometimes you see things that you realize shouldn’t be happening and that no community should have to endure.”
Updated at 7:14 p.m.
[ad_2]
Source link