Miami Beach ‘breaks up’ with spring breakers in biting new video: ‘It’s not us, it’s you’
Fed-up Miami Beach says it is “breaking up’’ with spring breakers — telling the out-of-control partiers, “It’s not us, it’s you,” in a biting new video that outlines the city’s new rules targeting the unruly masses.
In the footage, captioned “Hey Spring Break, we’re over,” actors portraying exasperated Miami Beach residents say things such as, “Hey, we need to talk” and “This isn’t working anymore” to the camera.
“And it’s not us, it’s you. We just want different things,” a woman says.
Another lady sitting on the beach adds, “You just want to get drunk in public and ignore laws,” while a third woman says, “Do you even remember what happened last March?”
The video, which began airing March 1, then cuts to a series of newspaper headlines showcasing last March’s chaotic spring break, during which two people were killed in separate shootings in just 36 hours.
“That was our breaking point, so we’re breaking up with you,” one of the women adds.
Another woman throws up her hands and says, “This isn’t safe, so we’re done.”
The clip outlines strict new measures the city is taking in hopes of deterring reckless partiers from coming during spring break.
“This March, you can expect things like curfews, bag checks and restricted beach access, DUI checkpoints, $100 parking and strong police enforcement for drug possession and violence,” a woman in the video says.
A male actor then notes, “Maybe we can talk again when you’re done with your spring break phase, but until then …” before the words “We’re breaking up with spring break” appear on the screen.
Officials held a press conference last month outlining the city’s new strategy for handling the anticipated influx of revelers.
“Come here, enjoy, but don’t come here looking for trouble,” Mayor Steven Meiner said at the time. “We’ve had enough.”
The new rules will likely make Miami Beach less enticing for some spring-breakers — but may also impact businesses reliant on the thousands of people that come each March.
A city rep previously told The Post that while the measures could impact businesses “in the short-term,” local officials need “to act in the long-term interests of our businesses, residents and visitors.”
Miami Beach will have a flat $100 parking rate in city garages and parking lots, and the closure of sidewalk cafes on Ocean Drive during the weekends of March 7-10 and March 14-17.
City officials have also promised “heightened police enforcement for consumption of alcohol in public, drug possession and violent behavior” and have even repealed an option making low-level marijuana possession a civil offense.
Police Chief Wayne Jones said this year, tourists can expect a larger police presence “than you’ve ever seen before.”
“If you are looking to cause problems, do not come to Miami Beach,” Jones said in a statement. “Our message is simple: we want people to enjoy their time here, but will not tolerate the behavior we have witnessed in the past few years.”
