The mayor of Miami Beach, Florida said that a viral reality TV-themed public service announcement helped the city drastically reduce spring break crime for the second year in a row, leaving residents grateful for the effort. 

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner took office at the end of 2023, after years of spring break turmoil that left local businesses in shambles and residents irked. 

After working with city, county and state authorities to curb chaos during spring break in 2024, the city’s comprehensive “Reality Check” campaign came to life in 2025. 

“I mean, we had [in] the prior years literally killings on our street,” Meiner told Fox News Digital. “We had other shootings, basically modified stampedes, just from literally a level of lawlessness and chaos – jumping on police cars – it was just not tolerable.”

Crowds defiantly gather in the street while a speaker blasts music an hour past curfew in Miami Beach, Fla., on Sunday, March 21, 2021. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald via AP)

Meiner couldn’t be happier with the results. 

“The results have been phenomenal,” Meiner said. “I mean success at every level you measure it. No killings, no shootings, no major incidents, no stampedes. I can tell you … literally from the hoteliers to restaurants to businesses, everyone’s appreciative. And literally, almost universally, our businesses are very appreciative of the steps we took, and [it was] a major success for our city.”

Residents are thrilled with the outcome too, according to Meiner. 

“And it’s just amazing,” he said. “No matter where you go in our city, even people who live, you know, six, seven miles away from where the activity took place, nobody wanted to see their city viewed in a negative light. They’re so appreciative.” 

The Miami Beach Police Department cruiser on the beach. (Miami Beach Police Department)

Miami Beach is not the only city looking to cast off its chaotic spring break reputation. 

Panama City Beach Mayor Stuart Tettemer told Fox News Digital that his city has upped its spring break crime deterrence efforts.

“Panama City Beach has taken aggressive steps to maintain order during the Spring Break period, including targeted evening beach closures, enhanced enforcement zones, mutual aid partnerships, and public-private screening efforts at Pier Park,” Tettermer said.

“PCB is committed to law and order, acting swiftly with law enforcement to keep the community safe and family-friendly, and working with responsible businesses to ensure the unruly spring break legacy stays in the past.”