DeSantis steps up law enforcement measures in anticipation of spring break
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – In a press conference in Miami Beach Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a number of law enforcement safety measures in anticipation of the spring break rush into the city, which is expected to pick up in the coming weeks.
The governor’s office said a total of 140 state troopers will go to assist 17 law enforcement agencies.
Bay, Volusia, Broward and Miami-Dade County will gain “Quick Response Troopers” as well to respond to incidents, his office said.
DeSantis prefaced his remarks by calling Florida a “law and order state.”
“What we don’t welcome is criminal activity. What we don’t welcome is mayhem and people that want to wreak havoc on our communities,” DeSantis said. “Make no mistake about it, if your coming here in order to enjoy Florida and to enjoy and have a good time fine, if your coming for these other reasons, if your committing crimes, causing havoc, you are going to pay the price.”
DeSantis further vowed holding those who commit crimes “accountable.”
Among his statewide safety measures, DeSantis promised to deploy law enforcement officers, drones, license readers and more across to guard against any spring break mayhem.
To ramp up enforcement, DeSantis announced the deployment of 60 additional state troopers to the South Florida region. He also included having 60 state troopers in spring break “hotspots” such as Daytona and Panama City Beach.
Specifically to Miami Beach, a marquee destination for spring break, DeSantis vowed focusing on traffic mitigation, crowd control, barricades, DUI checkpoints, and parking and lane closures. He also promised increased security in residential neighborhoods.
Miami Beach has already instituted polices of its own, ranging from curfews to bag checks and targeted beach hours.
“Ensuring public safety is really your first task when your elected to be in office in your local community. “That is where the rubber meets the road on law and order,” DeSantis said. “If you don’t have it locally, then you’re just not going to have it.”
