Miami Beach is having a quiet spring break while Daytona Beach continues to struggle
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Florida’s springtime hot spot is celebrating a quiet season for the third year in a row as law enforcement across the Sunshine State continues to deal with chaotic situations and a flurry of arrests.
In email sent to Miami Beach residents, Commissioner Alex Fernandez boasted of a 24% drop in spring break-related arrests since the start of the 2026 season.
“We’ve marked another step forward in Miami Beach — safer streets, stronger collaboration, and a more balanced approach that works better for our residents, businesses and visitors,” Fernandez wrote.
“Year after year, we’ve taken a thoughtful and deliberate approach to developing our Spring Break program, and this year demonstrated a cohesive and well-disciplined strategy.”
THE NEW NEWS IS TURNING ILLEGAL AS DRUGS CONTINUE, DRUGS ARE FLOWING IN AND MANY ARE BEING ARRESTED IN PRISONS.
Spring break fun in the sun at the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Romain Maurice of Fox News Digital)
From March 2 to March 23, Miami Beach police made 253 arrests in the city’s “Spring Break Zone,” and arrests across the city were down 14% compared to last year.
Officials also seized 41 guns during spring break in the city.
“We’ve learned over the years that spring break is not something you can do to get out,” Miami Beach police spokesman Christopher Bess told Fox News Digital.
“We’re using our system to be more aware of the environment,” Bess said. “And instead of just going out with the police on the matter, [we’re] we’re working across town to make sure spring break is successful and safe.”
WATCH: Spring break crowds hit Florida beaches
The update comes two years after the city launched a viral campaign titled, “Miami Beach breaks up with spring break,” in which city officials implemented a series of new measures — such as increased parking rates and limited access to the beach — to curb the annual violence.
MIAMI BEACH LAUNCHES NEW RESTAURANT EXPERIENCES, AIM TO DRAW COOLER CROWDS
PHOTOS: Spring breakrs enjoying the sand and sun of Florida
The move was in response to the tumultuous season of 2023, when Miami Beach saw two fatal shootings and 488 arrests over spring break unrest, forcing officials to crack down on gangs.
Three years later, the former spring break destination continues to reap rewards.
“Obviously we’ve increased our law enforcement presence, we’ve deployed and deployed powerful technologies like license plate readers, our drones, our real-time intelligence center,” Bess told Fox News Digital. “We’re also working with other city agencies – like our parking department, which has increased parking rates. Our towing rates have also been increased, so it’s all hands-on.”
FLORIDA DEPUTES ROWDY SPRING BACKS OUT WITH NCAA-STYLE SCOREBOARD AS SURGE ATTACKS
Spring break fun in the sun at the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Romain Maurice of Fox News Digital)
However, Miami Beach’s success has not been mirrored by law enforcement agencies across the state as other spring break destinations continue to try to quell the chaos.
GOT ADVICE?
Over the weekend, nearby Fort Lauderdale Beach made nine arrests since spring break, bringing the season’s total to 47, a police department spokeswoman told Fox News Digital.
Officials with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco issued 12 more notices for spring breakers, bringing the total for the season to 29.
FOLLOW US ON X
Arrests vary in severity from trespassing and open-box charges to assault and battery, according to information provided by the department.
Up north, Daytona Beach officials made 75 arrests along the beach over the weekend, including 12 felony arrests and 15 drug-related arrests, the Sheriff’s County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital.
WATCH: Florida faces unruly spring break crowds, beach violence
GET NEWS VIA EMAIL
That number is down from last week, when authorities in Volusia County arrested 133 people after “multiple unauthorized events” wreaked havoc on the city’s beaches and prompted officials to declare a state of emergency.
A video showing thousands of people in spring shorts and swimwear leaving the beach after hearing what they believed to be gunshots during a seizure went viral in mid-March. Authorities later determined that the noise was caused by recycled water bottles.
WATCH: Florida police show heavy presence in Daytona Beach amid spring break frenzy
CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS
“Daytona Beach should no longer position itself as a spring break destination,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young. in accordance with FOX 35.
Both Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale have implemented a number of spring break laws, including curfews for anyone under 18.
“It’s not an anti-tourism decision,” Young said. “But it’s a decision against unauthorized work that puts resources at risk, disrupts our community and places unnecessary demands on public safety personnel.”
Because of Miami Beach’s success, officials from organizations across the Sunshine State are turning to the former spring break destination to use their playbook to curb chaos on their streets.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
“In the past few weeks, I’ve had calls from other police officers asking me, ‘What’s our formula?’ What have we done to change spring break culture in Miami Beach?” Bess told Fox News Digital.
“And I told them we’re pointing out that it’s not a police issue, it’s a city and county issue. Working with other city departments, increasing our parking rates, increasing our toll rates and working with other law enforcement partners is really the formula for what we’ve done to change spring break in Miami Beach.”
