Revelers descend on Miami Beach as another Spring Break weekend ends — but crowds go quietly after police enforce 8pm curfew to break up the party
Crowds of revelers descended on Miami Beach on Sunday but dispersed without the chaos seen in previous weekends.
Several hundred Spring Breakers gathered to dance and drink along Ocean Drive but the majority scattered when police arrived minutes after an 8pm curfew went into effect, and ordered them to leave the area.
The Miami Herald reported a small confrontation as the crowd moved from Ocean Drive toward Washington Avenue.
Crowds of revelers descended on Miami Beach on Sunday but dispersed without the chaos seen in previous weekends. Pictured: Partygoers on Ocean Drive on Sunday
Several hundred Spring Breakers gathered to dance and drink along Ocean Drive. Pictured: Partygoers on Ocean Drive on Sunday
The majority of revelers scattered after police arrived minutes after an 8pm curfew came into effect and ordered them to leave the area. Pictured: Partygoers on Ocean Drive on Sunday
A man gave the middle finger to a police officer, yelling 'F*** 12' - a term for the police.
The man reappeared minutes later, leaping on top of a police car yelling the same before jumping off and running away, the paper reported.
The situation did not escalate though as officers chose not to pursue the man and the crowd thinned out soon after.
Miami Beach Police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez told the Miami Herald that this weekend saw fewer crowds and 'no significant issues.' Pictured: Police officers arrive to enforce the 8pm curfew on Sunday
The police response on Sunday was markedly different to that seen in recent weeks, when officers made headlines for pepper spraying and body slamming tourists. Pictured: Partygoers leave Ocean Drive on Sunday
The Miami Herald reported that by 8:30pm on Sunday, two police officers were seen leaning against a car smoking cigars with no revelers in sight. Pictured: Police arrive to enforce an 8pm curfew on Sunday
Miami Beach Police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez told the Miami Herald that this weekend saw fewer crowds and 'no significant issues.'
The paper reported that by 8:30pm on Sunday, two police officers were seen leaning against the same car the man had jumped on earlier. They were smoking cigars and there were no revelers in sight.
The police response was markedly different to that seen in recent weeks, when officers made headlines for pepper spraying and body slamming tourists.
Miami Beach has been in chaos for several weeks as thousands of tourists flooded the city to celebrate Spring Break. Pictured: Partygoers on Ocean Drive on Sunday
Dozens of guns have been confiscated and more than 1,000 arrests made as revelers packed the streets despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: Partygoers on Ocean Drive on Sunday
On March 20, the Miami Beach City Commission unanimously decided during an emergency meeting to introduce an 8pm curfew. Pictured: Partygoers on Ocean Drive on Sunday
Dozens of guns have been confiscated and more than 1,000 arrests made as revelers packed the streets despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
On March 20, the Miami Beach City Commission unanimously decided during an emergency meeting to introduce an 8pm curfew.
The curfew and road closures were extended the following day until the end of Spring Break on April 12.
The curfew and road closures were extended on March 21 until the end of Spring Break on April 12. Pictured: Partygoers on Ocean Drive on Sunday
In a video statement last week, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber stressed that many of the vacationers were not 'college kids on their vacation,' but rather visitors who are traveling with criminal intentions. Pictured: Police and partygoers on Sunday
Officials have also expressed concerns that the influx of tourists may cause a spike in coronavirus cases, already high in the county. Pictured: Partygoers leave Ocean Drive on Sunday
In a video statement last week, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber stressed that many of the vacationers were not 'college kids on their vacation,' but rather visitors who are traveling with criminal intentions.
'Over the last weeks and longer, our city has been one of the only true destination cities open for business anywhere,' Gelber said.
'While most of our guests come here for all the reasons we hope they do and follow rules, there are clearly too many coming here with other ideas. And some are bringing guns.'
On Sunday, Miami Dade County reported 1,062 new coronavirus cases. There have been more than 2.4million cases in Florida since the pandemic began last year. Pictured: A woman dances in front of a police car as curfew comes in effect on Sunday
At least 33,177 people have died from coronavirus in Florida since the pandemic began last year. Pictured: Police officers enforce an 8pm curfew on Sunday
The majority of partygoers left quietly on Sunday when police arrived. Pictured: Police officers enforce an 8pm curfew on Sunday
Officials also expressed concerns that the influx of tourists may cause a spike in coronavirus cases, already high in the county.
On Sunday, Miami Dade County reported 1,062 new coronavirus cases. There have been more than 2.4million cases in Florida since the pandemic began last year.
At least 33,177 people have died from coronavirus in the state.
The curfew was introduced to attempt to manage the massive influx of rowdy tourists in Miami Beach. Pictured: Police enforce an 8pm curfew on Sunday
It is hoped the curfew will help curb the spread of coronavirus in the county. Pictured: Partygoers leave Ocean Drive as police arrive to enforce an 8pm curfew on Sunday
Extra police have been drafted in to assist with crowd management in Miami Beach. Pictured: A man films police officers on Sunday
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