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Dear Neighbors
I couldn’t let the day get past me without sending you a qucik note wishing Miami Beach a HAPPY 109th BIRTHDAY! As we walk away from the Spring Break season of 2024, we find ourselves celebrating with a profound sense of accomplishment.
This time last year, our community was grappling with significant Spring Break challenges that dimmed the celebratory spirit of our renowned history and its promising future.
Around this time last year, the Miami Herald's Editorial Board posed a critical question: "Why aren’t curfew holdouts on Miami Beach sick and tired of being held hostage by spring break?"
The Herald’s Editorial Board captured our community's shared frustration and desire for transformative change—a sentiment that deeply resonated with me: "Fernandez is tired of the same old 'We can’t control spring break' refrain. 'Upon consulting with our city manager and city attorney, I strongly feel the city must announce that, for next year, Miami Beach will shut the door on spring break by announcing — from now — a curfew for the historically violent third weekend of March,' Fernandez told the Editorial Board."
Those were my words exactly one ago. Today, we stand on the other side of these challenges, having made significant strides toward a safer and more engaged Miami Beach.
As of Sunday, our collective efforts during Spring Break 2024 have yielded positive results:
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An 8% decrease in total arrests.
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A 24% reduction in felony charges.
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A 10% reduction in calls for police service.
Achieving this would have been impossible without the unwavering dedication and teamwork of my colleagues on the City Commission and the leadership of Mayor Steven Meiner. Each member devoted countless hours of their personal time to support our city staff throughout March.
The exceptional work of the Miami Beach Police Department, under the steadfast leadership of our new Police Chief, Wayne A. Jones, is worthy of special acknowledgment. Words cannot express the gratitude we owe to our men and women in blue for their courage and exhaustive work schedule throughout this month.
Equally, the City Attorney’s Office, Miami Beach Fire Department, Code Enforcement, Communications and Marketing, Parking, Finance, Sanitation, Parks – every City of Miami Beach Department played crucial roles in maintaining the smooth operation of our city during this busy period, including the Goodwill Ambassadors who engaged visitors with friendly smiles and helpful guidance.
The leadership of City Manager Alina Hudak has truly been the remarkable force behind the implementation of a robust and effective plan. Rain or shine, Alina has been present and attentive to every detail 7-days a week until late hours at night, steering her team through every step of the Spring Break high-impact plan. The City Manager’s steadfast dedication has exemplified the commitment we, the City Commission, made to the residents who entrusted us with their vote: to resolve the spring break crisis.
While it certainly is rewarding to celebrate this year’s achievement, our work is far from over. We still face the challenge of balancing the need for public safety with maintaining the vitality of our local economy. Clearly, our businesses and residents have felt the impact.
Curfews, $100 parking fees, garage closures, suspension of sidewalk cafes, barricades blocking access, and early beach closures are not long-term solutions to the challenges of Spring Break. We must work together to find sustainable paths forward.
Now we are presented with the opportunity to plan for next year. As I did last year, I will once again host Zoom meetings for businesses and residents to discuss what worked, what didn’t, and how we can improve for next year. Your participation and feedback are invaluable:
Businesses Spring Break Community Hearing: Thursday, April 4, 11 am
https://miamibeachfl-gov.zoom.us/j/81643616208
Residents Spring Break Community Hearing: Tuesday, April 9, 4 pm
https://miamibeachfl-gov.zoom.us/j/82111008746
As referred by the City Commission, the Public Safety and Neighborhoods Quality of Life Committee will also conduct an after-action review of the 2024 Spring Break measures at its regular meeting scheduled for April 17 at 10 am.
This is our home, a place where the warmth of the sun is matched only by the warmth of its people—it is our paradise and together, will continue to lead for a cleaner, safer, more resilient, and beautiful Miami Beach as we make the stride towards 110.
Sincerely,
Alex Fernandez
Miami Beach City Commissioner
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