Miami Beach is not going through its best moments. Since the pandemic, when the Miami County spa town became a favorite place for people from all over the country in search of good weather and open businesses (in Florida the closures due to the pandemic were much shorter than in other states), incidents of violence began to be seen in the once quiet city.
Out of control in the streets, people who were alcoholized or under the influence of narcotics breaking cars and public parks became commonplace. Then, clashes with the police came. That is why after a complicated 2020, many restrictions were imposed in 2021, especially on spring break when the most incidents of violence have occurred, such as curfews, limiting the sale of alcohol and closing bridges linking the beach with the city of Miami.
In 2022, by spring break, the vast majority of these restrictions were replicated, and violent incidents decreased considerably. That's why some Miami Beach authorities are considering extending those measures.
Currently, any commercial premises that have a license for the sale of alcohol in Miami Beach can be open until 5 in the morning. The city commissioners and the mayor, Dan Gelber, are debating whether it would be appropriate to limit alcohol sales to 2 in the morning, with the exception of hotels or bars in the neighborhoods (bars in areas where there is only one bar, not a concentration of several night recreation centers).
“My hope is that we find a middle ground where we have four or five votes out of seven in the commission. I would be pleased if we were able to substantially advance the sale of alcohol until 2 in the morning, at least in the entertainment district (alluding to the quadrant between Washington and Ocean Drive, between 5th and 23rd streets), with some exceptions for hotels,” said Gelber after the first meeting with commissioners to discuss the issue.
But as expected, not everyone agrees. Commissioner Ricky Arriola is strongly opposed to the measure.
“Miami Beach is world famous for its nightlife. We are a tourist city. I think we need to find another way in which we can be a vibrant tourist city, with a responsible nightlife and deal with the occasional incidents of violence that we have,” Arriola told the local press.
Miami Beach residents responded to a question on the November ballot last year saying they want alcohol sales in the city to be limited to 2 in the morning. However, it was only a consultation and not a referendum. That is, it serves as a guide for politicians but they are not obliged to do so.
The commercial community, for the most part, is opposed to the measure. Many complain that limiting the sale of alcohol at 2 in the morning with the exception of hotels would be a rule designed only to affect small merchants, benefiting the powerful lobbying of hotel chains.
The next meeting of Miami Beach Commissioners will be May 25, when they are expected to vote on this issue.
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Miami Beach mayor proposes to limit alcohol sales in South Beach starting at 2 a.m.
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