MIAMI BEACH — A legal showdown took place on Saturday afternoon as three South Beach nightclubs decided to contest Miami Beach's recently implemented midnight curfew aimed at controlling spring break activities. Despite their efforts, the judge ruled against them.
As per reports from CBS News Miami's media partners at The Miami Herald, Miami Beach city spokesperson Melissa Berthier confirmed on Saturday that a complaint had been lodged by the M2, Mynt Lounge, and Exchange nightclubs.
The presiding judge, David C. Miller, rejected the plea to lift the curfew, stating that city officials had acted in good faith and had tailored the curfew to accommodate certain businesses.
According to the Herald, Hudak testified that she observed larger crowds and a more disruptive environment among spring breakers on Thursday night, prompting her to believe that a curfew was necessary. She also noted that the curfew's effectiveness was evident on Friday night as crowds began to disperse as midnight approached.
"It seems that the crowds made a collective decision to move elsewhere during the night," stated Hudak. "The atmosphere just wasn't enjoyable."
The curfew, which started on Friday night, was planned to be enforced every night over the weekend until Monday morning. It covers all areas below 23rd Street, mandating that businesses close their doors after midnight.
The Nightclubs' Legal Challenge Against Miami Beach Curfew
A legal challenge by nightclubs in Miami Beach is seeking to nullify the curfew imposed for the weekend. The state of emergency declared by Mayor Hudak until Monday led to the enforcement of the curfew, which would require approval from the Miami Beach City Commission for any extension.
Romain Zago, owner of Mynt Lounge, expressed his confusion to the Herald regarding the sudden implementation of the curfew. He mentioned that previous measures had been effective in managing crowds peacefully, questioning the need for the curfew this weekend.
Mynt Lounge operates from midnight to 5 a.m., making it impossible to open during the curfew hours. Zago highlighted the impact on his business and employees, emphasizing the financial strain it would cause. Despite this, the court ruling did not recognize irreparable harm to businesses.
Zago stated, "My staff all live check by check. They cannot afford a week off," emphasizing the financial burden the curfew imposes on them. He criticized the city for "removing food from our plates."
While large crowds flocked to South Beach for spring break, particularly on Ocean Drive, the enforcement of the curfew reportedly proceeded smoothly. Police managed to clear most of the strip by 12:15 a.m., according to the Herald.
As reported by the Herald, Miami Beach has once again implemented a curfew during spring break, marking the fourth consecutive year. Surprisingly, this year's curfew comes amidst a relatively calm March, thanks to the city's "break up with spring break" campaign.
The third weekend of March has historically been troublesome for Miami Beach, with incidents such as stampedes and shootings linked to spring break festivities. City officials had been warning residents, visitors, and businesses about the likelihood of a curfew for this year's spring break since last year.
Tune in to CBS News Miami tonight at 11 p.m for more coverage by Peter D'Oench, both on-air and online.
