The Miami Beach Police Department is preparing for another possible wave of misconduct this coming Memorial Day weekend. Authorities posted a public service announcement on social media, warning visitors that loud music, open containers with alcohol and drugs will not be allowed.
With this statement, the city wants to send the message that those planning to visit should party responsibly as the holiday weekend approaches, with its myriad of events, including the Air and Sea Show and Urban Beach Week, Miami Diario reported.
Agents told residents during a community meeting Tuesday that they would call for reinforcements starting Friday, which means an increase in patrols that comes with a traffic loop and the use of license plate readers, searching for vehicles connected to possible criminal activity, entering the beach.
“We have a set of officers who are assigned to Washington Avenue, Collins Avenue, and Ocean Drive,” said Miami Beach Police Captain Jovan Campbell. “We have far more officers assigned to residential areas than we normally have, and we have officers that are specifically going to be tasked with conducting traffic stops.”
“I can assure you that this police department has done a lot over the last four to five months specifically to deal with these qualities of life issues,” said Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements. “It’s just coming at us at a rapid pace, and it’s going to take some time.”
“Don’t come here if you’re looking to do something stupid or illegal,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.
They will also be changes in the traffic and residential neighborhoods.
The city executed a traffic circuit starting at 7 p.m. that weekend, with northbound traffic on Collins Avenue and southbound traffic on Washington Avenue and limited access to residential neighborhoods. The residents will access their neighborhood with a valid photo ID or proof of residency.
“Each evening Memorial Day weekend, our residential areas will be blocked off,” said Officer Rodriguez. “You have to present some identification.”
Miami Beach residents are mad at the lack of attention from authorities; they want action.
On the other hand, Miami Beach residents showed their dissatisfaction with the lack of attention from the police authorities and called for more action.
Mitch Novick, a hotel owner and outspoken critic of the city government, recorded a street fight video in the middle of Collins Avenue and 9th Street. He also captured cars that took over the same intersection by making roulettes and pointed out that both incidents occurred on Sunday night.
Novick expressed that his greatest concern is not what may happen next holiday weekend, "what I am going to witness tonight is more my concern," he said. "It's not just next weekend; it's every night."