LTC 044-2020 MBPD Quarterly Update - 10/1/19 - 12/31/19 MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 044-2020 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City If ommission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: January 24, 2020
SUBJECT: MBPD Quarterly Update — 10/1/19 — 12/31/19
This Letter to the Mayor and City Commission is to provide an update on the operations of the Miami
Beach Police Department for the quarter October 2019— December 2019. With the promotion of Deputy
Chief Rick Clements to Chief of Police on July 1, 2019, many new initiatives and programs have been
implemented. The new administration has also established new Mission, Vision, Values and Goals:
Mission —Address Crime and Community Concerns
Vision —A Safe and Welcoming Environment for Everyone
Values — Honorable, Professional, Resilient
Goals — 1) Use Innovative Approaches to Address Crime
2) Maintain and Enhance Professional and Well-Trained Work Force
3) Enhance the public's perception of the Miami Beach Police Department
The Miami Beach Police Department is working hard towards continuously fulfilling these goals.
Below is a summary of accomplishments for the last quarter.
Operations Division:
The Operations Division is comprised of the four geographic areas and specialized units that
operate as the street patrol function of the MBPD. This includes the south area, entertainment
district, middle area and north area. The specialized units include the K9 Unit, Marine Patrol, the
Motor Unit, the RDA squads, and Traffic Operations. In addition to responding for calls for service
and routine patrolling, the Patrol Unit conducted the following TRAC (Tactical Response to Area
Concerns) initiatives:
South Area
• Homeless Ex-Convicts setting up camp and stealing electricity from buildings
• Robberies in residential area — 9th street to 14th street
• Vehicles failing to stop at stop sign at 1st Street and Washington Avenue
• Reckless Driving — Macarthur Causeway
• Pedestrian Involved Traffic Crashes — Alton Road
• Homeless Encampments — Bay walk
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Middle Area
• Auto Burglaries 900-1100 blocks of 39th to 49th Streets
• Quality of Life Issues — Boardwalk
• Criminal Mischief/Hate Crimes — Flamingo Drive/Lake Pancoast neighborhood
• Traffic Hazards — Venetian Causeway
• Auto Burglaries and Thefts — North Bay Road
• Dogs off-leash — Pine Tree Park
• Suspicious Persons Living in Vehicles — Julia Tuttle Causeway
North Area
• Speeding Vehicles on Marseille Drive
• Speeding and Loud Vehicles — 6400 block of Indian Creek Dr
• Speeding and Noise — 6400 block of Collins Avenue
• Retail Theft from Liquor Store — 6700 Collins Ave
• Speeding — Normandy Isle
• Blocking the Box — intersections between 69th — 75th streets
The Patrol Unit also focused on Park and Walk details throughout the City. These assignments
were conducted on every stress high visibility with officers out of their cars and walking in the
most popular areas of the city. There was a total of 996 Park and Walk details conducted
throughout the City during this quarter.
The Patrol Unit also instituted several Beach Theft Details (10/2, 10/9, 10/20, 11/3, 11/9, and
12/13) which resulted in 36 total arrests (3 felony and 33 misdemeanor arrests).
The Patrol Unit also conducted Operation Safe Streets. Operation Safe Streets was developed
in order to coordinate our resources to address the varying types of quality of life complaints our
residents, visitors, businesses and various committees had brought to our attention within the
MXE. The goal was to maximize our effectiveness at addressing these concerns through
directing our various police and city resources to conduct a high visibility detail pinpointing
problem areas & offenders and hot spots to impact these complex issues. The detail is comprised
of mixed resources: uniformed officers and undercover detectives. Additionally, we added our
Homeless Resources Unit to the detail in order to offer services to members of the homeless
community. Code Compliance Officers also participated in the detail to respond to complaints
regarding business practices along Ocean drive and to educate and enforce the newly
implemented Code of Conduct Regulations.
Operation Safe Streets also incorporated a proactive community engagement component,
consisting of ongoing social media outreach to inform community stakeholders of our efforts and
maximize the public perception of the presence of our personnel in the field. This aspect of the
detail was specifically designed to address the public perception of crime, criminality and
complaints regarding visible police presence within the MXE. This component allows for
community stakeholders who are present to see our personnel active in the field and for those
not present, to follow their work and accomplishments via the various social media platforms.
The first detail was conducted on November 16h and resulted in:
Arrests: 23: 6 Felonies; 17 Misdemeanors
Uniform Traffic Citations: 32
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Homeless Placements-2
The second detail was conducted on December 13th and resulted in:
Arrests: 19: 5 Felonies; 10 Misdemeanors;
4 Traffic/DUI
Uniform Traffic Citations: 144
The Operations Division also conducted multiple traffic enforcement Initiatives during the
midnight shift on the Macarthur Causeway. Below are the results for October through
December 2019:
• DUI Arrests — 8
• Felony Arrests — 13
• Misdemeanor Arrests — 335
• Uniform Traffic Citations — 1593
• Written Warnings — 40
• Seized Tags - 13
• Vehicles Towed — 38
• Offense Incident Reports - 30
• Speeding over 50 mph in excess of the posted speed limit— 49
The Patrol Unit also conducted a DUI Saturation Details on December 13, 2019. This resulted
in 3 DUI arrests, 22 speeding citations, 3 seat belt violations, and 68 other traffic citations.
Investigations Division:
The Investigations Division consists of Property Crimes (Theft Squad, Economic Crimes,
Burglary Apprehension Team), Persons Crimes (Special Victims and Major Crimes), and Street
Crimes (Robbery SIU/Human Trafficking, Crime Suppression Team, Intel Unit, Crime Analysis,
Victim Services). The results for this quarter include:
• Burglary Apprehension Team (BAT) — 5 details with 19 arrests
• Human Trafficking — 5 misdemeanor prostitution arrests, 2 felony prostitution, 5 felony
human trafficking arrests and 6 search warrants served
• Robbery Unit — 24 arrests for subjects in 18 cases
• SIS / CST — 35 felony arrests and 20 misdemeanor arrests
• Major Crimes Unit - 2 homicide cases closed by arrest, 1 case still being actively
investigated
• Victim Services Unit — 358 services information and referrals
31 — personal advocacy/accompaniment cases
155 — emotional support or safety services
90 — criminal / civil justice system assistance cases
• Crime Analysis Unit — Increased communication and intelligence between divisions
and Personnel (analytical reports for specific trends/areas)
- Creation of the Highly Advanced Virtual Operations Center
- Revamped Monthly Crime Meetings
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Technical Operations Unit is tasked with implementing new technology throughout the MBPD
including the License Plate Readers, Surveillance Cameras, Drone technology, assisting with the
procurement and installation of the new radio system, and various software programs.
The Technical Operations Unit continues to build up the citywide camera project having recently
brought into the system several city facilities. Working in partnership with the IT Department, the
police department has collaborated with several other city departments such as Parks and
Recreation, Property Management, Parking, and Capital Improvements. The vision is to have a
citywide CCTV system that enhances public safety where large number of people traverse along
with city owned locations/public amenities.
o Scott Rakow Youth Center Camera Project Phase 2
o Colony Theatre Camera Deployment
o City Hall Camera Project Phase 2
o North Beach Tennis Center Camera Deployment
o Lincoln Ct. Pedestrian Bridge Cameras
o Pride Park Camera Underground Infrastructure
GO Bond funded projects are underway in addition to general fund locations. Several LPR
locations are currently in the construction phase of the GO Bond "quick wins" in addition to the
various strategic locations along mid-beach that had been planned in general fund budget
development.
o Please see attached Smartsheet used for the GO Bond Projects in conjunction
with the GO Bond Committee.
Federal JAG funds have been utilized to procure and implement video analytics that reduces
video review time. Additionally, several deployable assets of LPR and CCTV have been
purchased in order to address identified crime hot-spots and/or event management
o Video Analytics reduces 8 hours of Video Footage to 10 Minute Clips
o Two LPR Trailers
o Once Camera Trailer
The Technical Operations Unit continues to strategically implement technologies that will serve
the department well in standing up a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). This will occur when the
replacement Fire Station # 1 is completed, and the Public Safety Communications Division
vacates its current location within the Police Department Headquarters. RTCC's are not only for
crime but for event management and interdisciplinary coordination of the delivery of services to
the public.
There are currently over 125+ cameras deployed across the city in a variety of roles (traffic
monitoring, special events, Ocean Drive, etc.). Via the GO Bond quick wins, we are focusing on
the Lummus Park/Ocean Dr Project which will double the number of cameras currently deployed
in this area and lay the groundwork for our next quick win project, the Beachwalk from 14place
to 23St. Once these projects are complete, we will continue to expand throughout the
entertainment district to include the Collins and Washington Avenue Corridor. Continuing in
tranche 1 and later will be the expansion into several business districts (Alton Rd, 41st St, 71st
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St) working with several other city departments as such as transportation and public works. But
our work does not stop there, as we are currently involved in adding additional security at several
parks (Scott Rakow Youth Center and North Beach Youth Center), city facilities (1755 Customer
Service Center and City Hall) and parking facilities (All enclosed parking garages). The Police
Department is also working with Capital Improvement on larger upcoming projects such as
Lincoln Road, North Beach Open Space Park, Convention Center Park and the remaining
Beachwalk areas. These projects are in addition to providing public safety for all of the upcoming
special events such as Halloween, Art Basel and the Super Bowl.
Support Services Division:
The Support Services Division consists of Technical Support, Community Affairs (including
Homeless Liaison Unit, School Resource Officers, Neighborhood Resource Officers, Park
Ranger Supervisor, and School Crossing Guards), the Property and Evidence Unit, the Training
Unit, Backgrounds Unit, Business and Personnel Resources Unit, Records Unit, and Court
Liaison Office.
Community Affairs is a cornerstone of this administration with its enhanced direction to improved
community outreach and involvement in a wide range of activities designed to build stronger
partnerships with all aspects of the community. The Community Affairs Unit contains the
Homeless Resources Unit, the School Resource Officers, the Neighborhood Resource Officers,
the Park Ranger Liaison Supervisor, and the Civilian Crossing Guards.
The Homeless Resources Unit (HRU) is a nationally recognized Homeless Outreach Program with
7 current enrollees in the Marchman Act program, 33 total participants since its inception and
22 successful graduates to date. The HRU is also partnering with Mt. Sinai hospital in an effort to
reduce the influx of homeless individuals released from Mt. Sinai hospital becoming problematic
for the 41st Street area and surrounding neighborhood. Due to this partnership, a new procedure
has been instituted in which homeless individuals that are released from Mt. Sinai after being
Baker Acted or treated for illness/injury are now going through the after-hours shelter placement
protocol. This has greatly reduced the complaints from the middle area of the city. Using this new
procedure, 11 homeless individuals have been placed into shelters. For 2019, a total of 106
homeless individuals were placed into shelters. This is a staggering amount considering there
are only 5 beds available at one facility for placement.
The following is a list of Community Affairs Unit projects and initiatives:
Accomplished:
• 6th Street Block Party
• Bagels and Badges @ Einstein's Bagels
• Smoothie with a Cop
• Winter Wonderland
• Four Freedoms Holiday Cheer
• Rebecca Towers Holiday Party
• NoBe Community Meeting
• Milonga Event at the NoBe Town Center
• South Pointe Elementary Holiday Party
• Theft & Fraud Prevention at Normandy Shores
• Veteran's Day Parade
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• Marine Board Community Meeting
In Progress or Planned:
• Continue to attend HOA meetings
• Continue to collaborate with the Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, Washington Avenue, and
41st Street Business Associations
• Continue to coordinate with security directors from major venues throughout the city
• Continue to conduct Active Threat/Critical Incident Training for houses of worship and
businesses
• Continue to provide CPTED based crime prevention evaluations upon request
• Continue to provide excellent Homeless Outreach services
• Continue to provide secure environment and youth outreach in our schools
The Training Unit also supports Community Affairs with several outreach programs. These
include the Citizens Police Academy, Girl Scouts, Women's Self-Defense classes, Active Shooter
presentations for religious institutions and businesses, participation in the Neighborhood
Leadership Academy, Self-Defense training for Police Explorers, Jewish Community Safety
Symposium. Kindergarten Cops, Bigs in Blue and Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs.
The Training Unit also conducted a total of 947 hours of training for MBPD personnel. This
included a wide range of topics including critical topics such as de-escalation training, less than
lethal weapons, active gunman, scenario-based training, quality of life issues, crisis intervention
training, tourniquet-first aid, CPR/AED certification, firearms training, and ordinance reviews. It
should be noted that the tourniquet-first aid training was instrumental in saving the life of the
officer that was recently stabbed on Ocean Drive.
The Recruitment/Backgrounds Unit has been able to hire 7 new probationary police officers this
quarter. Seven of the new officers will be graduating at the end of March 2020 and 2 will start
the police academy on January 27, 2020. The MBPD is close to achieving full staffing and will
continue recruitment efforts during 2020 . The goal is to send 10 — 14 candidates to a summer
2020 part-time Police Academy. These recruits will be in service to cover the vacancies that will
take place in summer of 2021 via members of the DROP
Police Athletic League was founded in 1958, making it the oldest PAL in the state of Florida. It
continues to be a strong component of the Miami Beach Police Department's community outreach
efforts. Programs are designed with a two-fold purpose: to create better relations between law
enforcement officers and youth, and to prevent juvenile delinquency.
Under the leadership of a full-time police officer as Executive Director, and with vital assistance
from a volunteer board made up of citizens and local law enforcement officers, PAL offers the
youth of the community an array of recreational, athletic and educational activities.
PAL activities for October— December 2019 include:
Event Title Date & Time Individuals Served
MBPD Annual Toy Drive December 21St 600+
North Beach Toy Drive December 19th 50+
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Vernon Carey Christmas December 18tH 8
Shopping Spree
First Down Ride Along December 17th 50
North Bay Village Pet December 14th 250
Adoption
North Bay Village Holiday December 6th 300
Event
Thanksgiving Basket November 26th 350
Giveaway
Miami Beach Kickball November 22nd 100
Tournament
City of Miami Beach Basket November 22"d 500
Giveaway
North Beach Bandshell November 23rd 50
Soccer Event
Veterans Day Parade November 1 2,000+
Youth Football Luncheon October 19th 250
Take Your Child to Work- October 3rd 20
Homeschoolers
Total Community members
served: 4,528
The Miami Beach Police Department will continue to work hard to achieving our goals during
2020. The Super Bowl presents tremendous challenges for the City Of Miami Beach. We have
developed operational staffing plans for all the associated events taking place in Miami Beach.
We will be ready to meet all the special event challenges this year brings from the Super Bowl,
Spring Break, and Memorial Day (to just mention a few) and all the other high-profile events
that continue to prosper in the City of Miami Beach.
JLM:RCM:tr
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