Arrest numbers continued to be lower than previous years on Miami Beach during Memorial Day Weekend, with only 47 arrests reported for day 3 compared to 106 last year.
Also known as Urban Beach Weekend, the annual festivities draw hundreds of thousands of revelers to the beach for the party that started Thursday night.
So far, police say arrests are down compared to last year; and so are the number of service calls. Both arrests and calls are down by nearly half and they said they hope to keep it that way.
On day 1, Miami Beach Police reported 27 arrests compared with 55 last year. On day 2, the numbers rose slightly with police reporting 56 total arrests compared to 86 last year. The offenses have included battery, DUI, and drugs.
For the first time, Miami Beach Police unleashed a brand new mobile command center. The center is strategically positioned at 5th and Ocean and police have eyes and ears everywhere. Barricades and new traffic routes went into effect to control crowds and officers on bikes, golf carts and motorcycles have been out in full force.
"Police presence is not to discourage people from coming to our city, it's just to let them know we want to keep our guests and our residents safe while theyre out here," said Miami Beach officer Vivian Thayer.
Many party-goers have flown in to South Florida from other parts of the country and the world to join in on the festivities that started Thursday night.
"Memorial Day on South Beach is alive, it's amazing," said a woman named Nattae, who has flown in from Georgia for the last three years. "You have the people, the celebs right here on Ocean Drive. Everything is jumping."
While the crowds seem a little thinner than they have been in previous years, police officers have kept a watchful eye over the city.
"This Memorial weekend is so slow compared to others," said Cafe South Beach Deli employee Ardem Polit.
But the increased police presence hasn't kept the party from dying down. Many said the police presence is actually encouraging return visitors.
"I don't mind for them to protect us if that's what it's going to be," visitor Keywana Stevens said. "I didn't have complaints last year, I loved it."
Parts of Miami Beach were completely shut down, including roads and businesses. South Beach clubs like Mokai and Set announced on their Facebook pages that they would be closed for the weekend.
