Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vows to send state troopers to Miami Beach to crackdown on defiant spring breakers hellbent on attending 'canceled' event despite bar closures and heavy fines

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday he will dispatch 140 state troopers to assist with the spring break crowds expected imminently.

During a press conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the former Republican presidential candidate said about 45 troopers will be sent to Miami Beach specifically.

The governor said state officials had reached out to communities across the Sunshine State asking what they anticipate needing by way of reinforcement ahead of the spring break chaos that arrives in the month of March.

Other troopers will be sent to popular SB destinations including Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, and Panama City Beach.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at a press conference in Miami on Tuesday to discuss measures that will be in place this year to prevent spring break chaos from overtaking popular party cities like Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Daytona

Spring break begins in southern Florida this weekend as thousands and thousands of mostly college-aged students descend on the beaches and bars of the Sunshine State

DeSantis said that he and his state level employees are 'ready to help our local communities maintain order,' he added that he is willing to send additional backup, if necessary.

'We don't welcome mayhem,' he said. 'The state has a lot going on, it’s a fun place to be at and we want to see people do that, but we also are going to insist that people respect the law.

'Florida may be popular for spring break, but it is inhospitable to criminal activity.'

In the weeks ahead of spring break, DeSantis has repeatedly said he is prepared to send help to Miami Beach and other cities that will receive hoards of out-of-control college students.

The governor spoke with Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner about his city's needs ahead of the chaotic season.

Meiner, on Tuesday, said, 'This is a pivotal moment for our city. They (the state government) came through, and they gave us even more.'

In a widely circulated video produced by Miami Beach officials, actors discuss the city's intention to 'break up with spring break.'

'It's not us, it's you,' says one actor to camera.

'This March you can expect things like curfews, bag checks, and restricted beach access,' says another.

A third continues the message, saying, 'DUI checkpoints, $100 parking, and strong police enforcement for drug possession and violence' are all part of the plan.

Last year, the former Miami Beach Mayor said he wanted to cancel spring break after fatal chaos broke out on more than one occasion. A midnight curfew went into place following two deadly shootings.

City Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, who was sworn in in late November, spoke alongside Governor DeSantis ahead of his first spring break as the city's chief executive

DeSantis was also joined at the press conference by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner, Mark Glass, (left) and Dave Kerner, Florida's executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (right). The pair outlined their plans to keep spring breakers in check

Crowds walk up and down Ocean Drive during spring break on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Miami Beach.  Miami Beach officials imposed a curfew beginning Sunday night, March 19, after two fatal shootings

Spring Break begins in Miami Beach on Monday March 13, 2023. The beaches were packed as chaos erupted across the city

Spring break 2023 also saw 488 arrests in Miami Beach, more than 230 of which were felony offenses, and more than 100 firearms were seized. 

Hoping to communicate an effective message, this year, officials have imposed an aggressive set of rules for this weekend and the one after.

An announcement has not yet been made about a curfew, but some public parking will be closed, and license plate readers will be placed on the causeways entering the city.

DeSantis called the preparation measures from the city and state 'really unprecedented.' He said he didn't want to wait until a state of emergency was declared.