048-2000 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.fl.us
48-2000
L.T.C. No.
LETTER TO COMMISSION
March 17, 2000
TO: Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
Lawrence A. Levy %-'
City Manager
FROM:
SUBJECT: Washington Avenue, 14 Street to Lincoln Road and Espanola Way.
This Letter to the Commission is to advise the Mayor and City Commission of actions taken by the
Police Department on Washington Avenue from 14 Street to Lincoln Road as well as Espanola Way,
since March 1, 2000.
On March 1,2000, at 2:00 p.m., Major Tollefsen, of the Patrol Division and Sergeant Navarro, of
the Chiefs Office, met with Commissioner Nancy Leibman, Ms. Lynn Bernstein, Ms. Linda
Polansky (Owner, Clay Hotel), Al Childress (Director, Code Compliance), Robert Thomas
(Sanitation Department), Kevin Smith (Parks and Recreation Department), and several Espanola
Way business owners. They toured west on Espanola Way from Washington Avenue to Drexel
Avenue, north to 15 Street, east to Washington Avenue and back south to Espanola Way. During
this tour, several Police issues were pointed out and the following actions were taken:
Chief Barreto contacted Mr.Resnick to address concerns with some of his properties. Lieutenant
Veski and Officer Rosenstein met with Mr. Resnick to address other concerns with his properties.
These included better ways of securing his properties, i.e., lighting, sanitation and posting "No
Trespassing" signs to keep vagrants out of the private property.
Police presence on Espanola Way has been increased by the Beat Officers, These Officers have
developed and distributed flyers with direct contact information where they may be reached
immediately by businesses on Espanola Way. These Beat Officers have also addressed skate
boarders and drinking in public violators on Espanola Way and the surrounding areas.
The Strategic Investigations Unit has addressed drug activity and prostitution in the 400 block of 15
Street and the 1400 block of Drexel Avenue. They have conducted several investigations in this area
and continue doing so. This Unit has also conducted an investigation at 429 Espanola Way, a
restaurant operating as a club. On March 6, 2000, this restaurant/club was cited for not having an
occupational license. Also, on March 11, 2000, the club was shut down by the Police Department
for serving alcohol, in violation of their license.
The day shift and afternoon shift of the Patrol Division are conducting daily sweeps of Washington
A venue, with the paddy wagon, at the beginning and end of their shifts, from 14 Street to Lincoln
Road. These sweeps include strict enforcement of all laws and ordinances. To date, these sweeps
have resulted in 36 arrests since March 2, 2000, ranging from Drinking in Public to Possession of
Marij uana.
The situation of undesirables congregating in the alley just north of 1639 Washington Avenue has
been addressed. Apparently, the gate was not secured and there were pay phones at the entrance to
the alley attracting a bad element. The owner has been advised about the gate and has been
instructed on how to secure the gate. On March 8, 2000, the two pay phones were removed, as they
were connected illegally.
There were concerns at 326 Lincoln Road with trash, including furniture and bedding. This area has
also been cleaned up.
The undesirables harassing elderly people on the bus benches at the 1600 block of Washington
A venue has also been addressed through the Beat Officers, the sweeps and the overtime details.
On March 13,2000, at 10:30 a.m., Major Tollefsen and Lt. Veski, ofthe Patrol Division, met with
Commissioner Leibman, Commissioner Herrera-Bower, Ms. Lynn Bernstein, Ms. Linda Polansky,
Mr. Roberto DaTorre, Mr. Jimmy Resnick (property owner), Michael Comras (property owner),
several City Department Heads and several other Washington A venue business owners. They toured
Washington Avenue from the 1400 block north to Lincoln Road.
During this meeting, many code violations were noted and will be addressed with citations. The
owners of the businesses on Washington A venue will be notified of all violations and will be invited
to a Community Meeting by the Beat Officers that will take place in the Police Department
Community Room tentatively set for April 10, 2000.
The Police issues have dramatically improved in the past two weeks, but the Police Department is
continuing with their initiative. The Police Department is continuing to work with the property
owners to post "No Trespassing" signs so the vagrants cannot camp out on private property. These
signs will allow the Police Department to take action.
The aforementioned actions are improving the area and reducing complaints. I will continue to
update you on the progress in this area.
LL/RB/DD/PS/MMS
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