MIAMI STRAND, FLA. (WSVN) – Thousands of revelers have packed Ocean Drive to launch which police say is expected to be the busiest weekend of the spring, but a popular venue will still be closed to guests due to safety concerns.
7News cameras captured thousands of people along 700 Drive from Ocean Drive, just after 10pm Friday.
About a block north, a large crowd of mostly maskless revealers was seen walking around the iconic street while police officers guarded the street.
A 7News crew saw a Miami Beach police detainee bus on standby in case a situation got out of hand.
Hours earlier, The Clevelander South Beach announced on Friday that it would temporarily suspend its food and beverage operations.
Friday afternoon, cameras captured empty tables and folded umbrellas at The Clevelander. The entrance to the dining area was blocked.
“Recently, we have become increasingly concerned about the safety of dedicated employees and valued customers and the city’s ability to maintain a safe environment in the area,” the hotel manager said in a letter to social media. “Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the food and beverage operations at Clevelander South Beach until at least March 24, 2021.”
The hotel said it would re-evaluate in the coming days and decide whether to reopen or remain temporarily closed.
Their concern probably stems from several incidents that have taken place in Miami Beach over the past few days.
The cell phone video showed Friday night at the end of a rush on Ocean Drive when people ran away. Several women screamed as they fled to safety.
The rush took place after a large group of people gathered near Wet Willie’s.
On Thursday night, police used pepper bombs to break into a fight outside a restaurant, causing jumpers to turn.
The cellphone video showed customers at Jalapeño Mexican Kitchen on 500th Street of Ocean Drive as they came under tables.
Before the situation turned into chaos, revealers packed Ocean Drive between Eighth and Ninth Streets.
When the fight broke out and the police moved in, nearby restaurants suffered a major blow. On the video, furniture and glassware were thrown and broken, and checks were not paid.
A man was also killed after a shooting Monday night.
Police have made more efforts to curb crime in the city, including bringing in officials from other departments.
“We are at the peak of the spring break, and this weekend is what is expected to be the busiest of the weeks,” Miami Beach police officer Ernesto Rodriguez said. ‘A lot of additional reinforcements regarding police activity here in Miami Beach, so a lot of measures to curb criminal activity, to tame the crowds and encourage people who are here to act responsibly. If not, the message is clear: you will be arrested. ‘
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said he was upset about the recent incidents captured on video.
“We’ll just have to get it right. “I hate watching the videos,” he said.
Eventually, Gelber said, he wants to end the recreational district, but for now, he’s set on mastering the spring break.
“I want people to know that we have a lot of officers here, and we are not warning people. We are arresting them, “he said.
At least two dozen people were arrested Thursday night.
“In the last five and a half weeks, we’ve seen more than 900 arrests,” Rodriguez said.
Miami Beach enlisted the help of the Florida Highway Patrol. The video showed troops on Friday night on the east side of the MacArthur Causeway.
Hours later, the cameras showed the supported traffic along the western lanes of Fifth Street, just in front of the street road.
Officials said they are prepared to close the highway this weekend if necessary to control the number of people leaving for Miami Beach.
In his statement, the manager of Clevelander South Beach writes: “The Clevelander employees have our full support and will pay their full salary during this period.”
However, many of these employees rely on tips to earn their bread.
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