Miami-Dade county commissioner says neighboring Miami Beach's crackdown on Spring Break is racist because it gives cops license to treat black party goers with violence

The Miami-Dade County Commissioner said that Miami Beach's crackdown on spring break is racist because he fears it will lead authorities to treat black revelers violently.

Keon Hardemon's Tuesday comments arrived ahead of the first weekend of spring break, where hordes of young guests descend upon the beaches of southern Florida and frequently create chaos.

Hardemon, who is black, said that the plan city officials have rolled out to combat lawlessness is 'tone deaf' and unfairly targeted at black spring break partiers. 

The county commission on Tuesday was discussing a standard plan to sent Miami-Dade police officers to Miami Beach to assist with spring break when Hardemon said:

'I don’t want to be a part of anything that can be deemed to be onerous, Draconian, heavy-handed by a municipality that is especially effected upon people that, for the most part, are just like me.'

Miami Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardeman has warned efforts to crack down on Spring Break celebrations in the city could unfairly target black partiers 

Former Mayor of Miami Beach Dan Gelber said in 2023 he wanted to cancel Spring Break: 'We haven’t asked for spring break in our city. We don’t want spring break in our city. It’s too rowdy, brings too much disorder and is simply too difficult to police'

He added that he doesn't think the county should 'write them a blank check to ... mistreat people in our community.'

Miami-Dade will send about 80 officers to Miami Beach over the next two weekends, according to the Miami Herald. 

Curfews and strict traffic measures will also be put in place in a bid to avoid a repeat of Spring Break 2023, when rowdy scenes were common and two people were killed.  

Without elaborating, Hardemon, an attorney and former Miami city commissioner said of Miami Beach's crackdown: 'I think they're doing it wrong.'

Miami Beach officials have defended their strict rules for this year's spring break crowds. They are also being backed solidly by Governor Ron DeSantis, who said Tuesday he will send 140 state troopers to various hot spots over the next two weeks.

Spring Break last year saw 488 arrests in Miami Beach, more than 230 of which were felony offenses, and more than 100 firearms were seized.

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. 

Miami Beach Mayor Steven 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.

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

Crowds walk up and down Ocean Drive at night on Saturday March 18, 2023 during Spring Break in Miami Beach

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

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.

This year, Governor 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.'