Spring break continues on Miami Beach, with a different feel than usual. Take a look

Spring break marched on in Miami Beach Saturday, but with little of the historical fanfare residents and tourists expect. What is considered the city’s second “peak weekend” of the holiday felt far from deserving of the “peak” tag — small crowds, sparing music and more locals.

The sandy beaches of South Beach only had a smattering of sun bathers, sand castle builders, joggers and swimmers. The crowd was reminiscent of a slow beach day in the fall, instead of the once-problematic mass gatherings of college-aged spring breakers.

Many point to the aggressive measures the City of Miami Beach has taken for the second consecutive year for the noticeable lack of a traditional spring break environment. A heavy police presence, mass parking closures, increased towing fees and road closures were still in full effect Saturday.

Jack Brust, a New Yorker studying at the University of Miami, has only known spring break in Miami Beach under these heavy restrictions. Starting school last year, he wished authorities would ease off to bring back a more party feel to the city.

“I’d get it if it was partying all year round; then you definitely need a lot of enforcement,” he said. “But for a few weekends it would be nice to see more parties.”

For locals and families, which seemed to be the prevailing group visiting South Beach the past two “peak” spring break weekends, the safety and relative silence of what used to be a sometimes violent time for the city was a good change of pace. Leismary Davis, from Miami, was one local back on the beach who brought a host of her friends to celebrate her birthday.

Natalia Khrystenko, a Ukrainian refugee living in Miami for the past year, promoted the Park Central Hotel Saturday, dancing in a sparkling golden outfit reminiscent of flamingo dancers.

Given the almost familial atmosphere around her, Khrystenko has only been focused on her advertising work and making a living after escaping harder times — spring break being barely a thought.

“I learned how to live life again here under new laws and rules,” she said, speaking on her transition from Ukraine to working in Miami Beach.

Miami Beach Police Spokesperson Christopher Bess said the department is seeing a positive outcome from their enforcement efforts this year for spring break. From Feb. 25 to March 22, there have been 374 spring break-related arrests — a 14% reduction from last year.

“Things are looking great,” he said. “Our resources are looking to have been effective, leading to another successful spring break.”

Take a look at spring break on South Beach Saturday: