SOBE Losing Memorial Day Weekend Crowds To Violence & Police Presence

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Some on Miami Beach may have gotten their wish. Memorial Day weekend is losing its crowds.

"We lose a lot of potential clients that would normally come and get tattooed. They would come spend money on the beach. They just don't come anymore," said Steve Santacruz owner of Empire Tattoos Miami.

A shooting, in 2011, where police unloaded more than 100 rounds into the car of a man who was running from them, along with an increase police presence, turned a lot of people off.

And then, this year, 2016, close to the eve of the party weekend, a drive-by shooting early Thursday morning injured two people.

Party and concert promoters are looking elsewhere – and Vegas is reaping the benefits.

At least one promoter says Sin City has the party atmosphere of South Beach, minus the violence and police presence.

Gilbert Obeid, owner of Habibi Diner on South Beach, said, "For me I'm three years here and nothing is happened to me so I'm open I work good and business is going up."

All the businesses CBS4 talked to said they're staying open and look forward to making a lot of money.

Police are still expecting a huge crowd and preparations are already in place throughout South beach.

But for some who live on the beach, they aren't sticking around.

"For the weekend I'm going up north," said Placido Illiano.