Spring break hot spots turn lawless as fights erupt, drugs flow and dozens arrested in sweeping crackdowns

Fort Lauderdale logged nine arrests related to spring break over the weekend, bringing the total number of arrests for the season to 47, a police department spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

Officials with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco also issued 12 new notices to appear to spring breakers, resulting in a total of 29 notices being handed out since the season began. 

The arrests vary in severity from trespassing and open container charges to assault and battery, according to data provided by the department.

Several hours up the coast, authorities in Daytona Beach conducted a total of 75 beachside arrests, including 12 felony arrests and 15 arrests related to narcotics, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office told Fox News Digital. 

"It is not a decision against tourism, but a decision against unsanctioned high-risk activity that strains resources, disrupts our community and places unnecessary demands on public safety personnel."

The move came after several unauthorized beach "takeover events" organized on social media wreaked havoc on the spring break hot spot. 

"We're focusing on that core area with the kids that are out there underage drinking, smoking weed, all that stuff, so that we have tools to be able to get them off the street," Young added.

The event led to 133 arrests throughout Volusia County, including 84 in Daytona Beach and 49 in New Smyrna Beach. 

The incident unfolded during a takeover event hosted online, with officials now vowing to prosecute anyone who organizes an unsanctioned gathering in the area. 

However, the individual later appeared to recover from the fight and left the area before authorities could speak with him, FLPD said.

Both cities have since implemented curfews for individuals under the age of 18 in an attempt to calm the chaos as officials are pointing to a strain on local resources. 

"It's not like these folks RSVP," Young said, according to FOX 35. "So it's somewhat of a guessing game as to how many people are actually showing up, and we do our best to make sure we have resources out there, but truth be told, with the amount of people that were in town this weekend, I literally have, have about 222 sworn officers."