Miami Beach declares state of emergency as spring breakers get out of control

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber declared a state of emergency and set an 8 p.m. curfew Saturday, saying the crowds that have descended on the city recently are "more than we can handle."

Police in Miami Beach said early Sunday that they arrested "at least a dozen" people following the start of the curfew.

All restaurants, bars and businesses are required to be closed by 8 p.m.

"As we hit the peak – at the peak of spring break, we are quite simply overwhelmed in the entertainment district," Aguila said at a press conference Saturday. "Folks, this is not an easy decision to make, we are doing that to protect the public health and safety."

Because most pandemic restrictions have been lifted in Florida, people are coming with an "anything goes" mentality, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber told USA TODAY on Monday.