May 24, 2009 12:52 pm US/Eastern
Arrests Up Slightly On SOBE Over Holiday Weekend
MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ―
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Memorial Day on Miami Beach became huge in 2001, the first year the holiday weekend was unofficially dubbed "Urban Beach Party."
CBS4 News
Arrests on Miami Beach are up slightly this year compared to last year as thousands party on SOBE for the annual Urban Beach Party weekend.
The Miami Beach police department released their preliminary numbers Sunday which include arrest numbers and service call numbers from surrounding agencies; the final numbers will not be available until next. Police say not only are their arrest numbers up, so are their calls of service which included everything from traffic stops to checking out reports of suspicious people.
On Friday, police made 132 arrests and logged 706 calls of service; last year on Friday police made 121 arrests and answered 680 calls of service. Saturday saw a slight increase in arrests (141) and calls of service (861). Last year, police made 135 arrests on Saturday and performed 770 calls of service.
Many of the locals who live on the beach stay home to avoid the crowds and local business owners shut down early, or hire security.
Memorial Day on Miami Beach became huge in 2001, the first year the holiday weekend was unofficially dubbed "Urban Beach Party." Among other tourists, the 250,000 fans of hip hop head to the beach to celebrate music and fun.
While some businesses decide to close, others stay open and simply prepare for all the extra crowds. Miami Optics on Collins Avenue is one of them.
"We need the business," said Arian Gutierrez, an employee in the store. Tourists and store owners admit any money coming into Miami Beach is good, especially during these hard times.
CBS4's Tiffani Helberg and Jasmine Kripalani contributed to this report
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