MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Almost $ 227 million in liquor sales, an economist predicts how much the city of Miami Beach will lose each year when bars and clubs close at 2 a.m.
City guides are pushing for the rollback in hopes that it will provide a solution to the crime that surrounds the nighttime party scene.
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People who live on the beach want to see less crime, but fear that closing bars early might not solve the underlying problem.
“South Beach was the place to be in the ’90s, but people just overwhelm and it has gone crazy,” said Raul Abdala.
The Miami Beach Mayor said the parties are spiraling out of control, leading to killings, shootings and other acts of violence.
“I mean … that’s how it is. it happens every week. I mean enough is enough, ”said Stephen Sawitz, owner of Joe’s Stone Crab.
Raul Abdala was born and raised in Miami but said you won’t find him on Ocean Drive or Collins Ave.
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“I totally understand why they close at 2am and then it’s tough for the clubbers, the promoters and the clubs themselves,” he said.
Sawitz said it was time for a change on the beach. He believes companies will have no problem continuing to work with fewer hours.
“We close our doors at 11pm on the weekends. And we’ve managed to be in business for 108 years, ”explains Sawitz.
Others disagree and fear the city will lose money if it closes early without the crime being solved.
“I think it just sounds like control,” said Jorge Canela.
“If you as a legislature are to legislate, it should address the issue, not nibble on the edges,” said Jerry Libbin, president and CEO of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
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On the other hand, to put things in perspective for you while there will be a loss of profits on liquor sales, the Mayor of Miami Beach told CBS4 that he had to spend millions of dollars on additional policing because of the violence on the beach.
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