FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (NewsNation) — Spring break has begun, and chaos has already erupted in Florida, as seen in a recent video showing a boxing match between two spring breakers on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Participants in the match were wearing boxing gloves, and some in the crowd were reportedly placing cryptocurrency bets on the fight. The chaotic scene is exactly what local authorities have been trying to prevent.
In the video, dozens of spring breakers can be seen watching a wild brawl on the sand. Joshua Pettus, who recorded the footage, told NewsNation that he not only witnessed the fight but also overheard someone asking others if they wanted to place crypto bets on the match.
Police eventually intervened and broke up the altercation. Officials have yet to confirm reports of betting, but they emphasized that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Law enforcement agencies across the state are on high alert as millions of college students arrive for spring break vacation.
Florida cities wary of spring break chaos
To maintain order, police have ramped up their presence in Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach, implementing strict measures, such as curfews and $100 parking fees.
Miami Beach has made it clear that the city has “broken up with spring break,” reinforcing the message that it’s not interested in being a spring break party destination.
“The years prior, I mean, maybe a decade or more, we had year after year and really a small area of our city on Ocean Drive, a couple of blocks … But what we saw was a level of lawlessness and chaos that should never be tolerated, is not acceptable,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.
Fort Lauderdale has also increased patrols and introduced new rules, such as bans on alcohol and loud music in certain areas.