MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday held a news conference in Miami Beach, announcing safety precautions for spring break across Florida.
The governor, flanked by Florida Highway Patrol troopers and other law enforcement agents, was joined by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Executive Director Dave Kerner.
DeSantis said there will be 60 extra troopers in South Florida, with more in other spring break “hot spots,” including Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach. DeSantis said a total of 17 law enforcement agencies throughout the state requested help from state troopers, and at least 140 will be deployed.
The state will also deploy 24 quick-response troopers to Volusia, Bay, Broward and Miami-Dade counties for incidents that require an immediate response.
“We’re a law-and-order state,” DeSantis said. “We are a very welcoming state. What we don’t welcome is criminal activity. We will hold you accountable. That’s what we do here.”
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, New Smyrna Beach Police Department and Groveland Police Department in Central Florida also requested troopers.
The other agencies are:
- Bradenton Police Dept.
- Fort Lauderdale Police Dept.
- Hollywood Police Dept.
- Miami Gardens Police Dept.
- Miami Beach Police Dept.
- North Bay Village Police Dept.
- Cedar Key Police Dept.
- Panama City Beach Police Dept.
- Washington County Sheriff’s Office
- Bay County Sheriff’s Office
- Walton County Sheriff’s Office
- Cottondale Police Dept.
- Gulf Breeze Police Dept.
- Key West Police Dept.
DeSantis said not every part of the state accepted extra troopers for spring break, which he said makes sense since not every part of the state is a spring break hot spot.
Check back for updates.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: