Miami

Urban Beach Weekend Sees Much Fewer Arrests Than Previous Years

Police Credit Quiet Urban Beach Weekend to Large Officer Presence

Several fights broke out on Miami Beach Monday afternoon. But they were isolated incidents in what has been a calm Urban Beach weekend, compared to years past.

Miami Beach Police have been out in full force all weekend, with an estimated 500 officers on patrol. They credit high visibility, DUI checkpoints and license plate readers for helping to control the crowds.

Officers rushed in on ATV's and were able to quickly restore calm Monday afternoon after a fight broke out between two women. The women were seen on cell phone video slapping and punching each other, then rolling around in the sand while a rowdy crowd cheered them on.

A second fight saw two men going at it. Again a crowd watched until police eventually arrived to break it up.

Roughly 20 officers on foot and bikes sounded their sirens and ordered everyone at 6th Street and Ocean Drive to leave.

Officers also shut down tents that had beer that were not supposed to be there.

No arrests were made in either of Monday's incidents. Much fewer arrests has been the theme this Memorial Day weekend.

As of Monday morning the Miami Beach Police Department reports a total of 99 arrests for the weekend. That compares to 225 total arrests in 2014 and 414 total arrests in 2013.

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