036-2001 LTC
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\Ci,miami-beach,fl,us
L.T,C, No, 36-2001
LETTER TO COMMISSION
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February ~, 2001
TO:
Mayor Neisen 0, Kasdin and
Members ofthe City Commission
FROM:
Jorge M, Gonzalez \,..v:;,c-
City Manager U 0
SUBJECT:
TOGETHER AGAINST GRAFFITI 2001 (T.A,G, 2001)
This Letter to the Commission is to advise you of a new program from the Police Department to
combat graffiti, The program will be known as Together Against Graffiti 2001 (T,A.G, 2001),
TAG, 2001 will initially target the north district ofthe City from 63'd Street to the city limits and
will be headed by Captain Tom Skinner.
T,A,G. 2001 is a comprehensive approach to solving the blight of graffiti in Miami Beach by
utilizing all available City and community resources. The City of Miami Beach currently does not
have a specific comprehensive program designed to curtail the graffiti problem that is prevalent
throughout the city,
The Neighborhood Resource Officer in the North district of the City has designed such a program
to reduce graffiti using all city resources available to him. This program, T,A,G, 2001, calls for a
three-prong approach to combat graffiti by using education, eradication, and enforcement.
Education
Proper instruction to our children early in their educational careers can have a long term positive
effect in the reduction of graffiti. Much like the DARE program which teaches young children to
"Just Say No" to drugs, an anti-graffiti educational program can instill in our children the necessity
to respect others' property and teach them of the negative social impact graffiti has in a community,
The long-term success of this aspect of the program will depend on a good working relationship with
all schools in the district and will involve the following components:
o An anti-graffiti poster contest for elementary school children with prizes for category
WInners,
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LETTER TO THE COMMISSION
February 152001
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o Cooperation with school administrators to create an anti-graffiti curriculum designed for
5th, (Jh, and 7h graders, The ~ and!'l grade curriculum will emphasize the negative
social impact of graffiti on the community and the 7th grade curriculum will emphasize
the punishment aspect of graffiti vandalism, The Neighborhood Resource Officer will
go into the schools and teach the curriculum on a regular basis,
Eradication
According to James Q, Wilson's "Broken Windows" theory, graffiti that is left on a structure without
being painted over begins a downward spiral for the community, Law-abiding citizens begin to avoid
public places damaged by graffiti, which then allows criminals ample space to continue their illegal
activities, This is why it is essential to remove graffiti immediately after it is reported, Studies show
that areas where graffiti is immediately removed have a less chance for recurrence than areas where
graffiti is allowed to remain,
Currently, the City has moved one step further toward this goal by issuing a Request for Proposals
(RFP) for a private vendor to provide graffiti removal services, Once a vendor is selected, it is
imperative that a proper notification system be established to reduce any time delay between the
occurrence and the removal as the first 24-48 hours are crucial to successfully preventing a
recurrence,
Enforcement
No matter how successful the educational aspect or the eradication efforts are, graffiti will always
occur, That is why an effective enforcement component is essential in order to demonstrate that the
City of Miami Beach will not tolerate graffiti related offenses, Enforcement will entail the following:
o Coordinating with Code Enforcement to ensure that all retailers of spray paint and
indelible markers are in compliance with all city ordinances pertaining to the sale of these
products, Also ensure that they do not sell these products to minors,
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Developing a system of tracking graffiti by using digital photography to document
graffiti, Generate reports and determine cost of damage in order to properly assess
damages to individuals responsible when apprehended,
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Using of high-tech mobile surveillance equipment in areas designated as high risk with
the goal of video taping the "Taggers" in action,
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Establishing a reward program through Crime Stoppers Program where citizens with
information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for graffiti
would be compensated for their information,
o Set up Business districts (65th to 75th street on Collins Ave and 71 sYNormandy Drive west
to city limits) as "ZERO TOLERANCE" zones ensuring removal of graffiti within 24
hours,
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LETTER TO THE COMMISSION
February 15,2001
Page 3
o Instituting the "Adopt a Bridge" campaign giving private citizens and business owners
the opportunity to adopt one of the bridges in the North district in order to apply an anti-
graffiti solution which would facilitate the easy removal of graffiti.
Funding for the Program was provided from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund and approved by the
Mayor and City Commission on January 10,2001.
T,A.G, 2001 's goal is to dramatically reduce graffiti by "Taggers" with a cooperative effort between
City Departments and the community, It is anticipated that this program will start in late February
or early March 2001, We will keep tlie Mayor and Commission advised of the progress ofT,A.G,
2001.
JMG:~:DD:PS:TS:MMS'&t<
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