Memorial Day festivities taking place in South Beach

City leaders hope tourists, locals enjoy festivities safely

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. ā€“ Memorial Day festivities are now taking place on South Beach -- both tourists and locals uniting with a single goal in mind.

Miami city leaders are hoping to bring some order to the long-weekend party, starting with a checkpoint eastbound on the MacArthur Causeway, looking for drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol and for stolen cars.

"We had a narcotics arrest already. We had a firearms arrest as well. So this checkpoint curbs a lot of criminal activity from occurring on the beach," Officer Ernesto Rodriguez said.

It's a move that caught some drivers by surprise.

"I don't even know what to think. It's so surprising," said Michael Andrews. "We're trying to get back to the hotel, and we're sort of going around a mulberry bush here."

As of 11:20 p.m. Friday, Local 10 was told there were seven arrests as a result of the DUI checkpoint, but a breakdown as far as arrests for what particular offenses were not given. This is the only night the DUI checkpoint will be conducted going eastbound on the MacArthur Causeway.

Once on the beach, traffic is now going in a loop between Fifth and 17th streets, northbound on Collins Avenue, and wrapping southbound on Washington.

There are extra patrols stationed around South Beach, and a mobile command station is set up at Fifth Street and Ocean Drive. Barricades are set up along Ocean Drive and is open to pedestrians only.

It's clear the party is what these folks came for, but city leaders are hoping they do so safely.

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About the Author:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.