Miami Beach police say they're taking a 'zero tolerance' approach to chaos in South Beach this spring break.
On Friday night, two officers were hurt when a crowd formed on the corner of 8th Street and Ocean Drive.
Officials said they were taking a subject into custody when they used pepper balls to break up the crowd, and two deputies were hurt.
Videos on social media Friday showed large crowds and partygoers on the street, despite the midnight curfew, face coverings and other restrictions.
Get South Florida local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters.
Police say that the number of arrests during spring break has more than doubled compared to last year.
From February 3rd to March 7th, there have been 731 arrests, 263 of which were for felonies, police said.
Over the same period last year, there were only 332 arrests, about half of which were felonies.
Local
Extra officers from different police departments are patrolling South Beach and other touristy areas.
"It’s part of our efforts to ensure a safe experience for not only our residents but as well for the visitors," a police spokesperson said.
"It’s a holistic approach to health and safety and that’s the biggest difference from previous years.
Police say they’re also cracking down on smaller crimes, which is why the arrests are up.
