Police have arrested a second gunman in consecutive days on Florida beaches, with hundreds of spring breakers arrested in Miami Beach during the first 16 days of the annual beach bash.
Police told FOX News Digital that from March 1 to March 16, there were 256 spring break-related arrests in Miami Beach, including four for violating the late-night curfew. We asked for a more detailed breakdown.
A day after a 16-year-old boy pulled out a gun on a crowded beach in New Smyrna Beach, about four hours north of the Florida coast, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a second teen with a firearm. was arrested.
Miami Beach Mayor Stephen Miner said the seemingly large number of arrests is “a reasonable number given the number of law enforcement officers we have here,” and called this year “the calmest spring break we’ve had in years.” Ta.
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On March 16, 2024, a police officer on spring break was arrested in Miami Beach, Florida. Crowds remained unruly during the annual festival in South Beach, despite strict enforcement with restrictive measures such as curfews and sky-high parking fees. (Romain Maurice/MEGA)
Miami Beach officials worked with Gov. Ron DeSantis and state police to prioritize law and order on South Beach, a phrase repeated in interviews and press conferences leading up to “March Madness.”
They didn’t want a repeat of last year’s unrest in South Florida, where two people were killed and law enforcement arrested about 500 people (including 230 felons) and seized 105 guns.
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Miner told Fox News Digital that there have been no major incidents so far and that the crackdown on crime has been “successful.”
“We’re doing drunk driving tests, we’re putting license plate readers all over the place. We have an additional way to spot potential criminal activity, so that number (256 arrests) is “It’s in line with what we’re expecting and it’s actually slightly lower than last year, which is great,” the mayor said.
“But that’s the way it should be. If people are committing criminal acts, they should be arrested and we will charge them appropriately.”
Spring break students are questioned by police in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Larry Paci, Fox News Digital)
A Fort Lauderdale police officer patrols on horseback as spring breakers prepare for a beach cleanup Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Miami Beach has enacted extensive regulations to crack down on unruly behavior, and large crowds are expected to flock to Fort Lauderdale throughout March. (AJ Sky, Fox News Digital)
In New Smyrna Beach, a coastal city about 25 miles south of Daytona Beach, a series of gun scares have shattered an ideal spring break.
On Thursday, Felixander Solis Guzman, 16, pulled out a gun on a crowded beach and fled from officers with the weapon in his hand, police said.
The wild scene was captured on body camera video and released by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Local police made a second gun arrest the next day.
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On Friday, police allegedly found a gun inside Ronnie Bengochea Chinea’s car in New Smyrna Beach. (New Smyrna Beach Police Department)
Ronnie Bengochea Chinea, 18, was arrested Friday in New Smyrna Beach after Port Orange police allegedly found a handgun, marijuana and an extended magazine in his car.
New Smyrna Beach Police released an image of the suspect’s gun on Facebook.
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“We have warned them not to bring guns and drugs into the NSB,” the ministry said in a post. “We have a zero-tolerance stance on weapons and drug violations. This person’s spring break is over.”
Bengochea-Chinea was charged with carrying a concealed firearm and held on $5,000 bond, according to Volusia County jail records.
But this weekend’s beach success took place in Fort Lauderdale, which has become the mecca for Florida spring break in 2024.
A spring breaker runs from the water’s edge with a volleyball on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Robert O’Neill, Fox News Digital)
Spring Breakers cheer on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Robert O’Neill, Fox News Digital)
The city has historically not experienced as much crime and unrest as Miami Beach, and that continues to be the case this year, despite the influx of tourists.
Fort Lauderdale police made 13 arrests between March 1 and 17, including two spring breakers (both for disorderly conduct), eight local residents, and three Non-spring breakers were included, police spokeswoman Casey Leaning told FOX News Digital.
In contrast, there were eight arrests during spring break in 2023.
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“As part of FLPD’s proactive approach to spring break, we maintained a heightened police presence along Fort Lauderdale Beach and in the downtown entertainment district throughout March,” Leaning said.
“We are seeing larger crowds than usual this year, resulting in isolated incidents such as disturbances and fights. Our officers responded immediately and brought the crowds involved in these incidents into trouble. We disbanded without incident.”
Fort Lauderdale police officers patrol among spring break participants preparing for a beach cleanup Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Large crowds are expected to flock to Fort Lauderdale throughout March as Miami Beach enacts extensive regulations to crack down on unruly behavior. (AJ Sky, Fox News Digital)
Spring breakers gather beside an ATV on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Robert O’Neill, Fox News Digital)
Let’s have more fun
Despite an isolated gun scare in the upstate and an arrest in Miami Beach, fun-seeking coeds were able to enjoy a weekend getaway.
Photos and videos from Fort Lauderdale, which welcomed the party, showed typical beach lounging, soaking in the water, drinking at beachside bars and a lively nightlife.
This city felt more like a spring break hub than South Florida.
Spring breakers relax on the beach on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Robert O’Neill, Fox News Digital)
Spring Breakers wave from a bar on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Robert O’Neill, Fox News Digital)
Last weekend and this coming weekend, which coincided with St. Patrick’s Day, are historically Florida’s busiest spring break weekends and the most likely time for crime, officials said.
Fort Lauderdale officials last week called the opening weekend a “success” with few spring break-related crimes, although it was busier than usual.
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Leaning said he expects a bigger crowd than usual this year because of the Miami Beach crackdown, but things are going well so far.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis could not be reached for comment Monday.
Spring breakers gather in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Larry Paci, Fox News Digital)
Spring Breakers perform their cheerleading skills on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. (Larry Paci, Fox News Digital)
This week, the city was abuzz with green schoolgirls drinking alcohol and wearing green bikinis and shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day.
Keffen Wash, visiting from Tampa. told local10.com Due to Miami Beach guidelines, a planned trip to South Florida was rescheduled to Fort Lauderdale, about 30 miles north.
“They broke up with us and we had to slide down to Fort Lauderdale,” Wash told local news outlets.
Fort Lauderdale has designated drinking areas near waterfront hotels, and police have introduced tests similar to credit cards that can test for drugs in drinks as an added protection.
Spring breakers walk on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Robert O’Neill, Fox News Digital)
Spring Breakers have a chicken fight in the ocean on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. (Larry Paci, Fox News Digital)
‘Unprecedented’ pre-emptive attack by a nation
DeSantis announced earlier this month that more than 140 state troopers and various other state resources were being sent to South Florida as part of an “unprecedented” pre-emptive strike against spring break crimes.
The plan, the governor said, was to deploy 60 state troopers to shore up communities across South Florida, concentrated in Miami Beach.
An additional 60 state troopers will be deployed to additional hot spots, including Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach, and 24 rapid response troopers will be deployed to Bay County, Volusia County, Broward County and Miami-Dade County in case of emergencies. Deployed.
Spring break students gather on an ATV on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Robert O’Neill, Fox News Digital)
A Spring Breaker kicks a soccer ball on the beach on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Robert O’Neill, Fox News Digital)
Spring breakers line up at an ice cream truck on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. (Larry Paci, Fox News Digital)
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“This is truly unprecedented,” DeSantis said at a March 5 press conference. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a state so proactive going into a season like this.
“All things considered, I think we’re on track and ready to go, as we’ve always been at Florida State,” he said.
