LTC 081-2009 Crime Statistics Annual UCR Part I Crimes Reported for 2008,t F~F~=I\-~=n
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OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER ' ~ ~
NO-LTC# oat-zoo9 LETTER TO COMMISSION
io: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM. Jorge M. Gonzalez, City ManagerOl
DATE March 26, 2009 f l
SUBIECT CRIME STATISTICS ANNUAL UCR PART I CRIMES REPORTED FOR 2008
This letter to the Commission is to inform the Mayor and City Commission of the Uniform
Crime Report (UCR) statistics for Part I Crimes as indexed annually, for calendar year
2008. Part I Crimes include Homicide, Forcible Rape, Robbery, Aggravated
Assault, Burglary, Larceny and Motor Vehicle Theft. During calendar year 2008, the
City of Miami Beach experienced a +3.69% increase in total Part I Crimes as compared
to 2007. This increase is attributed to a +5.25% increase in total property crimes as a
result of a significant spike in larcenies of +9.58%, despite a -5.54% decline in burglaries
and a -6.16% decline in motor vehicle thefts (the other two Part I Property Crimes). In
essence, larcenies account for the overall increase in Part I Crime and include incidents
of beach thefts, pocket-picking, vehicle burglaries, and shoplifting. Despite significant
efforts to curb beach thefts, such as increased beach patrol via ATV's it is a challenge to
cover 7 miles of beach front visited by millions of tourists. Further exacerbating the
problem is that the majority of beach thefts and vehicle burglaries involve tourisUvisitor
victims who may not take simple measures to protect their valuables. Another factor
influencing the rise in thefts is ihat victims or more inclined to report stolen items now for
insurance purposes than in the past because of economic factors. Finally, there are
instances when persons report items that are perceived as stolen; when it can not be
entirely established that the items were either lost or stolen but are reported as stolen to
support the victim. (Although the crime of larceny actually occurred may remain in
doubt.)
The most significant crime statistic is the -7.65% drop in violent crime attributed to a -
13.79% reduction in rape, -9.60% decrease in robberies and a -5.87% decline in
aggravated assaults. These crimes involve violent confrontations with the offender often
resulting in injury to the victim. This is truly noteworthy when compared to other cities. In
a nationwide survey and analysis of 233 police agencies conducted by the Police
Executive Research Foam, 44% indicated that there is a perceived correlation with the
collapse of the national economy and increases in crime. Of those police agencies
surveyed, 39% reported an increase in robberies, 32% an increase in burglaries, and
40% an increase in larcenies.
The chart below further depicts that five of the seven Part I UCR categories declined
from calendar year 2007 to 2008.
Although the total homicides in 2008 have increased by 50% {from 4 to 6), it is
important to note that four (4) of the cases have been cleared by arrest, one (f )
was exceptionally cleared, when the offender took his own life, and the
remaining case is pending an arrest with the subject having been identified by
our investigators. It should be noted that the annual median number for this
category during the period of 2000-2007 is 5.2 homicides a year.
The Auto Theft/Economic Crime Squad broke up a sophisticated criminal
conspiracy ring defrauding bank customers out of 2 million dollars from ATM
machines with the arrest of four subjects.
Violent Crimes Section Detectives working with Patrol personnel arrested a serial
rapist that was committing sexual batteries in the South Beach area.
Robbery squad Detectives made numerous arrests of subjects for violent
robberies where victims were attacked and in some cases injured.
Special Victims Detectives made several arrests for Internet child pornography
crimes.
Safepark Patrols by uniformed police officers deployed at Flamingo Park, Open
Space Park, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park, and Lummus Park netted several
arrests.
During the months of November and December, Operation Rolling Thunder was
implemented. This operation consisted of a Task Force utilizing uniform patrol
and plainclothes personnel deployed at peak times to known locations where
specific types of crimes were occurring in and effort to reduce auto burglaries,
robberies, residential burglaries, and larcenies throughout the City. As a result of
this proactive anti-crime initiative, a remarkable 119 felonies and 1087
misdemeanors were made.
Patrol Division personnel apprehended several subjects involved with in-progress
burglaries. robberies: and other crimes as a result of their effective tactical
response.
Department personnel were recognized for their heroic efforts in saving lives on
several occasions including a burning vessel and residential structural fires.
In addition to the crime statistics, the following are highlights of some of the proactive
crime prevention initiatives and or noteworthy case investigaiions that took place during
2008.
Proactive short term special crime abatement efforts which included:
• Beach Theff Task Force targeting beach thefts,
• North District Anti Gang lnrfiative designed to identify and apprehend subjects
involved in graffiti, robberies and aggravated assaults,
• Bicycle Boardwalk Patro! implemented to arrest persons on the boardwalk
committing petty thefts, public intoxication and urinating in public,
• North District Collins Avenue Corridor Bicycle Detai! formed to arrest subjects
involved in drug and gang activity along 71 Street and surrounding areas
• Crime Suppression Robbery Apprehension Team implemented to apprehend
subjects committing robberies in progress and purse snatches.
As a result of these proactive crime initiatives, numerous individuals were arrested and a
significant number of property items were recovered.
Although total Part I UCR Crime increased for 2008, it can not be over emphasized that
five (5) of the seven (T) categories showed a significant decline, particularly overall
violent crime which is of primary concern. This includes a significant drop in rapes,
robberies and aggravated assaults. Just as impressive was the decline in burglaries and
vehicle thefts.
In keeping with our commitment to making the City of Miami Beach a safer place to live,
work, play and visit as well as maintain the crime rate at or below national levels, the
MBPD will continue to be innovative and effectively develop proactive anti crime
measures by appropriately deploying resources. Our efforts in this area will include
maintaining and strengthening our partnerships with other local, state, and federal law
enforcement agencies. As a result of this global economic decline however, it should
be noted that criminologists as well as police chiefs across the nation are bracing for
what is expected to be an increase in crime. The MBPD stands ready to take
responsible measures to efficiently manage existing personnel resources to proactively
stop this potential for greater crime.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
C: Carlos Noriega, Chief of Police
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