Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez said the emergency measures are being applied too late in the month, after the majority of crowds have departed.
She voted against a curfew, noting that it was unfairly impacting a weekend when few, if any, issues arise.
“I also know we’re taking a shot by not placing the curfew because God forbid something does happen. … This is a very difficult situation,” Gonzalez said. “But you know, Ultra weekend is not a problem. The problem is weekend three.”
Alcohol sales restriction
A compromise amendment was approved in a 6-1 vote, giving the city manager state of emergency powers, but only to impose a restriction on alcohol sales at local liquor stores starting at 6 p.m.
Some commissioners voted in favor of the measure but said it was only a “better than nothing” approach to the issue at hand.
“This is like acknowledging we have a problem but we don’t want to take bold action because we don’t want to piss off important businesses in our city,” Commissioner Alex Fernandez said.
Ricky Arriola, who cast the commission’s sole vote against the measure, described the decision as “rearranging the chairs on the Titanic.” He noted people will get liquor no matter what.
“One, it’s not going to make a difference … let’s be real, if it’s not going to make a difference don’t punish the businesses that are going to be affected by this and their employees,” Arriola said.
A recurring concern
This marks the third year in a row Miami Beach has resorted to emergency actions over dangerous crowds during the spring break season.
In March 2021, unruly spring break crowds were blamed for brawls that had to be broken up by police and prompted the first state of emergency. Around the same weekend last March, Miami Beach implemented its second state of emergency after five bystanders were hospitalized in two random shootings.
City officials have struggled to deal with the influx of crowds over the last few years.
Miami Beach City Manager Alina…
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