But spring break 2019 could be different. Miami Beach Police Chief Daniel Oates began sending letters last month to college administrators and fraternity and sorority presidents warning that spring breakers will be arrested for excessive partying and drug use.
"Miami Beach has been challenged in recent years by student misbehavior during Spring Break — to the point that our police department must now take a harder line going forward," the letters say. "I am writing to ask that you assist Miami Beach in sharing with your students the following message from our police department: 'If you come to Miami Beach for spring break, you must obey our laws. If you do not, you will be arrested.'”
The letters were first reported by Susan Askew of the RE
In recent years, Miami Beach has been
This year, after one of the rowdiest spring break seasons ever, City Commissioners Kristen Rosen Gonzalez and Ricky Arriola proposed arresting people for marijuana possession, a reversal from the city's stated policy of instead issuing a fine. (And during Urban Beach Week, when
As of last week, police had sent out 350 letters to colleges and universities across the country, according to a spokesperson. So far, the reception from administrators has been... interesting:
If you really don't care what the city says, though, sign up for spring break at a place that calls itself the official "site for Miami party/event tickets," andMy job is strange sometimes.
— Dr. David Wilmes (@Dr_Dave_SRU) December 4, 2018