Police To Enforce New Rules On South Beach Over Holiday Weekend
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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) - In an effort to not have another Floatopia on their hands, Miami Beach police will be enforcing some new rules for the long Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Last month, thousands flocked to South Beach for "Floatopia" – a social media inspired party - which was not a city-sanctioned event. When the day was done, they left tons of trash and used inflatable floats littered across the beach.
So starting Friday=, May 27th, and running through Monday, May 30th, city officials say no inflatable devices, coolers, tents or amplified music will be permitted on the beach between 15 Street to South Pointe Park to ensure safety and cleanliness.
Thousands of people are expected to hit Miami Beach over the holiday weekend which is one of the city's busiest times of the year.
Again this year, there will be a small army of Goodwill Ambassador/God Squad volunteers who serve as liaisons between the city and the visitors during the busy holiday weekend. They'll be wearing identifiable T-shirts and be able to answer questions.
To handle traffic, there'll be certain restrictions in place over the weekend. A traffic loop will manage public traffic along 5 Street, Washington and Collins avenues. Alton Road will remain two-way traffic. Barricades will restrict residential areas to "Local Traffic Only" and residents may be asked to show ID.
East/west streets (100 and 200 blocks) will be restricted between Washington Avenue and Ocean Drive, 6th to 15 streets. Local residents with the properly zoned decals will be allowed to park.
Ocean Drive will be closed to traffic Friday, May 27, 7 a.m. through Tuesday, May 31, 7 a.m. Collins Avenue will be one-way northbound nightly 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. (Friday – Monday). No street parking will be allowed on Collins Avenue between 5th and 17th streets as those lanes will be used to extended pedestrian pathways.
Washington Avenue will be one-way southbound nightly 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. (Friday – Monday). Access to east/west streets between 5th and 16th streets will be restricted.
Here's more information from the Miami Beach Police Department.
All city-owned parking lots and garages will have normal operations with the exception of South Pointe Park, Nikki Beach, and 46 Street lots ($25.00/visitors & $6.00/residents).
Police will be using license plate readers on the causeways to help with stolen car cases and other law enforcement violations.
