As Spring Break across the Sunshine State comes to a close, there have been stark differences between partygoers who have been downing drinks on the beach in Miami while Fort Lauderdale appears to have avoided most of the chaos.
Miami was hit with hundreds of arrests, mayhem, and violence for the locals, while Fort Lauderdale had only one or two minor incidents with their bikini-clad crowds.
Students flocked to the coastal hotspots in Florida to spend hours on sunny beaches and partied the night away during their week-long break – which saw many avoid Cancun and Mexico over safety fears.
US officials, including the Department of State, warned Americans against traveling to Mexico after a spate of violent crimes. Last month four Americans were kidnapped in Matamoros, Mexico, and two were killed.
Authorities in Fort Lauderdale said that there were ‘no major incidents’ related to the 2023 Spring Break – minus a teenager who assaulted Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen and a separate incident of a fight with a security guard at a bar.
Miami was hit with hundreds of arrests, mayhem, and violence for the locals, while Fort Lauderdale had only one or two minor incidents with their bikini-clad crowds
![Students flocked to the coastal hotspots in Florida to spend hours on sunny beaches and partied the night away during their week-long break ¿ which saw many avoid Cancun and Mexico over safety fears](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69070873-11898479-image-a-9_1679661760729.jpg)
Students flocked to the coastal hotspots in Florida to spend hours on sunny beaches and partied the night away during their week-long break – which saw many avoid Cancun and Mexico over safety fears
Ohio spring-breaker Max Edward Hartley, 19, violently attacked the one-armed drummer outside of the Four Seasons.
A police report from Fort Lauderdale Police said Hartley, from Ohio, was hiding behind a pillar outside the hotel before he rushed at the drummer and knocked him to the ground – causing him to hit his head.
Allen, who sadly lost his arm in a car accident back in 1984, provided a sworn statement to police and told them that he wanted Hartley to be prosecuted.
Videos also emerged of bikini-clad women wrestling each other on the beaches in Fort Lauderdale, while a group of men started a beach boxing match in Miami.
Officials in some parts of the state geared up for the first full-scale spring break season since 2019, and they expected numbers to be even higher than usual.
A ramped-up police presence was also noticeable along the beach in Fort Lauderdale.
Officers on bicycles, buggies and SUVs were seen patrolling the area, others were seen leading K-9s between sunbathers on the crowded beach.
But in comparison Miami had at least 322 arrests in the same period – with two people dying and a third being wounded.
![After the students partied throughout the day there were violent confrontations with police in the evening as officers had to use pepper balls to dispel the crowds in Miami](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/40484746-11898479-After_the_students_partied_throughout_the_day_there_were_violent-a-21_1679661881635.jpg)
After the students partied throughout the day there were violent confrontations with police in the evening as officers had to use pepper balls to dispel the crowds in Miami
![Miami Beach cops also seized a number of guns, a balaclava and cartridges as Spring Break led to unrest on the streets](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/40485126-11898479-Miami_Beach_cops_also_seized_a_number_of_guns_a_balaclava_and_ca-a-17_1679661859051.jpg)
Miami Beach cops also seized a number of guns, a balaclava and cartridges as Spring Break led to unrest on the streets
![Videos also emerged of bikini-clad women wrestling each other on the beaches in Fort Lauderdale, while a group of men started a beach boxing match in Miami](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69070897-11898479-image-a-14_1679661792652.jpg)
Videos also emerged of bikini-clad women wrestling each other on the beaches in Fort Lauderdale, while a group of men started a beach boxing match in Miami
![Several were injured in stampedes after gunshots rang out twice over a weekend, with wild crowds jumping on occupied cars ¿ sparking a citywide state of emergency](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69071087-11898479-image-a-12_1679661775939.jpg)
Several were injured in stampedes after gunshots rang out twice over a weekend, with wild crowds jumping on occupied cars – sparking a citywide state of emergency
![Between February 29 and March 19 there were at least 165 arrests in Miami for violent felonies and drug-related crimes, and 70 guns were seized](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69070845-11898479-image-a-11_1679661773231.jpg)
Between February 29 and March 19 there were at least 165 arrests in Miami for violent felonies and drug-related crimes, and 70 guns were seized
![Rick Allen, 59, was in Florida to perform a show with the band at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino over the weekend ¿ co-headlining with Mötley Crüe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/68775379-11898479-Rick_Allen_59_was_in_Florida_to_perform_a_show_with_the_band_at_-m-26_1679662161369.jpg)
![Max Edward Hartley, 19, has been arrested after attacking the Def Leppard drummer](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/68775383-11898479-Max_Edward_Hartley_19_has_been_arrested_after_attacking_the_Def_-a-27_1679662167672.jpg)
Authorities in Fort Lauderdale said that there were ‘no major incidents’ related to the 2023 Spring Break – minus a teenager (right) who assaulted Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen (left) and a separate incident of a fight with a security guard at a bar
Several were injured in stampedes after gunshots rang out twice over a weekend, with wild crowds jumping on occupied cars – sparking a citywide state of emergency.
The City of Miami Beach set an 11.59pm curfew after one man died and another was injured during a shooting on South Beach on Friday night, and another fata shooting in Miami Beach on Sunday morning.
It went into effect on March 19 and will run through until March 27 – with additional safety measures and a strict crackdown on alcohol.
Between February 29 and March 19 there were at least 165 arrests in Miami for violent felonies and drug-related crimes, and 70 guns were seized.
On Sunday, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said numerous people visiting the area brought guns and ‘created a peril that cannot go unchecked.’
It is a 27 percent increase in felony arrests over the same time period last year and 200 percent increase in homicides.
![Officers seized crack cocaine, crystal meth, marijuana and cash in a bust on Friday night ahead of the citywide state of emergency](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/40484750-11898479-Officers_seized_crack_cocaine_crystal_meth_marijuana_and_cash_in-a-20_1679661872822.jpg)
Officers seized crack cocaine, crystal meth, marijuana and cash in a bust on Friday night ahead of the citywide state of emergency
![Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the packed-out beach where they sunbathed, partied, and even staged their own mock fighting competitions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69070865-11898479-image-a-15_1679661805230.jpg)
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the packed-out beach where they sunbathed, partied, and even staged their own mock fighting competitions
![There was a noticeable police presence outside the nightclubs and bars, with alcohol laws being strictly enforced and drinks confiscated](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69071113-11898479-image-a-13_1679661781812.jpg)
There was a noticeable police presence outside the nightclubs and bars, with alcohol laws being strictly enforced and drinks confiscated
![In Fort Lauderdale drug-sniffing dogs roamed the sand with their handlers and cops patrolled the beaches on four-wheelers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69070831-11898479-image-a-16_1679661809130.jpg)
In Fort Lauderdale drug-sniffing dogs roamed the sand with their handlers and cops patrolled the beaches on four-wheelers
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/40484742-11898479-image-a-23_1679661890374.jpg)
![Two officers were even injured and were treated in hospital after the unrest near the corner of 8th Street and Ocean Drive during one incident on Miami Beach](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/40484748-11898479-Two_officers_were_even_injured_and_were_treated_in_hospital_afte-a-22_1679661887812.jpg)
Two officers were even injured and were treated in hospital after the unrest near the corner of 8th Street and Ocean Drive during one incident on Miami Beach
The city deployed hundreds of law enforcement officers to deal with ‘illegal and unruly behaviour’ from the spring break crowds.
Miami Beach’s state of emergency declaration added that cops from several jurisdictions have been working up to 14-hour shifts six days a week.
In Fort Lauderdale drug-sniffing dogs roamed the sand with their handlers and cops patrolled the beaches on four-wheelers.
There was a noticeable police presence outside the nightclubs and bars, with alcohol laws being strictly enforced and drinks confiscated.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis told CBS News that the beaches are mostly populated with college kids and he’s ‘pleased’ with spring break 2023.
He told CBS: ‘We don’t allow drinking on the beach, unless you’re being served by a hotel.
‘The bars are open to a certain time, they’re not open as late as other cities are. We try to curb the excitement a little bit.’
![In recent weeks, swathes of students have flocked to packed bars and beaches and Governor Ron DeSantis has urged people to visit the state](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69070861-11898479-image-a-24_1679661945341.jpg)
In recent weeks, swathes of students have flocked to packed bars and beaches and Governor Ron DeSantis has urged people to visit the state
![Some girls, leaving little to the imagination, posed for photos in the ocean - presumably to make their pals stuck at home jealous of their tropical vacation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/24/12/69070841-11898479-image-a-25_1679661950832.jpg)
Some girls, leaving little to the imagination, posed for photos in the ocean – presumably to make their pals stuck at home jealous of their tropical vacation
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