073-1999 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
L,TY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.fl.us
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L.T.C. No. 73-1999
LETTER TO COMMISSION
March 15, 1999
TO: Mayor Neisen o. Kasdin and
Members of the City Co mission
FROM: Sergio Rodriguez
City Manager
SUBJECT: SOUTH POINTE PARK
This Letter to the Commission is to advise the Mayor and City Commission of the efforts and results
of the enforcement program of the Police Department in South Pointe Park,
During the past decade of development, the Park has been divided into three sections, each of which
has special security concerns for the Police Department. While many citizens and visitors enjoy this
park; the park also attracts homeless individuals, criminal gang members, intoxicated beach goers,
and illegal narcotics activity, The Police Department responds to these security issues on a daily
basis. During the past eight months (August 1998 to March 1999), the Police Department received
382 calls for police service for the South Pointe Park area, During this same period of time, the
Police Department made 269 arrests,
The Police Department assigns officers to patrol South Pointe Park on a 24-hour / seven day a week
basis. On the midnight shift (Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights), the Police Department
authorizes overtime in order to assign one police officer exclusively to the park. Since this
inception of the directed patrol in August 1998, hundreds ofindividuals have been escorted from the
park after closing hours, dozens of arrests have been made, and the quality ofthe park has noticeably
improved,
On the day shift, police officers are assigned to meet with the South Pointe Park Director, Ms. Cindy
Casanova every morning. The police officers accompany Ms. Casanova as she directs the daily
clean up efforts, The police officers provide Ms, Casanova with the required security in dealing
with abusive and/or violent homeless persons, and other criminal activity encountered.
On a monthly basis, the South District Police Department Commanders meet with the South Pointe
Advisory Board to discuss their security concerns, and develop community-based strategies to
address the issues which are important to them, Often the discussions involve improper parking,
noise questions, pet owners' failure to leash and/or pick up after their pets and other quality of life
Issues.
Recognizing that the Police Department and the City Parks Department have a mutual interest in
providing security to the South Pointe Park and the surrounding area, the two departments have
worked closely with each other to address security issues. In August 1998, a meeting was held with
Ms, Marla Dumas, the City Redevelopment Coordinator, Mr. Kevin Smith, City Parks Department
Director and Police Commanders. The meeting was held to discuss issues of concern common to
these City Departments, and with local residents and business owners,
One of the main issues discussed was security, Mr. Smith advised that his Department had budgeted
funds to pay for park security. These funds are currently used to hire private security guards to
patrol the park. Mr. Smith stated that he would consider transferring these funds to the Police
Department provided the funds were used to place a police officer in South Pointe Park. This
program is still under discussion between the Police Department and the Parks Department.
The Administration will keep the Mayor and City Commission advised of the status of the Police
Department's efforts in South Pointe Park.
r\L Ala
SRlR~~/f>D/PS~
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