San Diego is cracking down on beach parties by banning private events, bonfires and even picnics to prevent spring break from wreaking havoc.
A San Diego spokesperson confirmed the city’s decision to ban private businesses from hosting picnics, corporate events, large parties, bonfires or other organized events on any beach in the city.
Businesses are concerned about the effect the strict ruling will have on the tourism industry, especially with spring break looming in the near future and the summer season fast approaching.
Businesses affected by the new rules are calling it an “arbitrary crackdown” because they came into effect without a vote in the city council. The San Diego Union Tribune.
The ruling was prompted by complaints from beachgoers and local residents who have been inconvenienced by large beach gatherings, a city spokesperson confirms.
San Diego is cracking down on beach parties by banning private events, bonfires and even picnics to prevent spring break from wreaking havoc
Excited spring breakers gather around some boys wrestling on the sand in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This week we see two girls wrestling on the sand of Fort Lauderdale Beach
You see groups of boys jostling with each other as they are cheered on by friends
Often beachgoers are forced to move so large parties can spread across the sand. The groups are often loud and disrupt the tranquility of residents’ relaxing beach days and continue well into the night.
Spokeswoman Nicole Darling said some parties are so large that they restrict public access to popular beach areas.
San Diego officials announced in 2022 that they were considering a formal permitting process for companies that host beach events in an effort to bring some order to the industry, which can sometimes spiral out of control.
Some businesses accepted the idea of a permitting process, even as city officials proposed new requirements, such as insurance policies and additional fees.
City officials told the companies last fall they were reevaluating the idea of the formal permitting process. However, this winter they announced a complete beach ban that would come into effect on February 1.
The city announced that larger organized events can still take place at 12 locations in city parks. Five of the locations are in Mission Bay Park, four in shoreline parks and three in Balboa Park.
San Diego lifeguards said they support the ban, with lifeguard chief James Gartland saying “unregulated commercial activity on the sand takes up public space, negatively impacts the beach and creates a distraction for lifeguards.”
San Diego’s crackdown comes as beach towns along the East Coast have tried to enforce rules to control the rowdy party scene that erupts during spring break.
Spring Breakers party at a bar on Las Olas Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Wednesday
Shots of super soakers are a popular sight during spring break
Police patrol the streets on their bikes in South Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is currently gearing up for its “most bloodshed” weekend – the weekend that has traditionally been the noisiest weekend of the entire Spring Break period.
Students at this time of year usually turn the main street into a huge street party, blocking traffic while drinking and dancing to thumping music.
But due to strict new measures, the Spring Break ritual is a lot quieter this year.
The South Florida city has introduced new rules to stamp out parties, which year after year have spiraled out of control and led to violence. This time last March, two people were killed in shootings.
Officers made 488 arrests, including 230 crimes. More than 105 firearms were also seized.
Students usually transform Miami Beach’s main seaside street into a street party, blocking traffic while dancing to thumping music, but this time the ritual known as Spring Break is a much more muted affair
On Wednesday night, the bars were packed in Fort Lauderdale in the middle of the week
Police have increased their presence and are visibly patrolling the streets with the assistance of other state and federal agencies.
While those who make it to Miami have to go through DUI checkpoints and barricades and there have been about 100 arrests so far this year with the stricter measures.
“So since spring break, which started last weekend, we’ve had just over 100 arrests so far, which according to the data is a decrease of about 14 percent,” Officer Chris Bess said.
To keep things under control, Miami Beach officials have increased police presence, set up additional drunk driving checkpoints and closed all public parking lots except one that charges $100 during the busiest spring break weekend.
Instead, it appears the bulk of partygoers headed 30 miles north to Fort Lauderdale.
Like Miami Beach, many coastal cities in South Florida are a draw for students looking to let off steam during their Easter vacation.
