129-2001 LTCCITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CiTY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.rniami-beach.~.us
L.T.C. /
LETTER TO COMMISSION
June 7, 2001
TO: Mayor Neiscn O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalcz~{-(2~
City Manager
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PLAN - OPERATION BLITZ 2001
This Letter to the Commission is to advise the Mayor and City Commission of a traffic enforcement
plan implemented by the Police Department. It is called Operation BLITZ 2001.
Our City' s extraordinary nightlife creates a carnival atmosphere that occasionally spills out of the
nightclubs into the roadways. Some citizens seem to display an attitude that "order maintenance'
laws are not enforced and "anything goes" when driving in our city. This attitude runs the spectrum
of activities from pedestrians crossing roadways to traffic infractions and the lawlessness related to
drinking in the entertainment district. As a result of this behavior, our residents and visitors suffer
thousands of traffic accidents each year.
The Police Department has seen a rise in traffic crashes in the first three months of 2001. Based on
this data, the Police Department implemented BLITZ 2001 in early May 2001. BLITZ 2001 is staffed
with officers currently assigned to the Accident Investigation Unit, the Selective Traffic Enforcement
Program (STEP) Unit and District police officers.
Since implemented in early May, police officers have issued 940 traffic citations for moving
violations, 231 traffic citations for speeding, 55 parking citations for various parking infractions,
issued 7 citations for various seat belt infractions, towed 20 vehicles and made 26 arrests.
Along with a "Zero Tolerance" for violations, the Police Department' s SMART Trailers ( the mobile
speed reading machines that displays to the driver his/her speed). SMART Trailers will be placed
in identified areas where speed is a problem. The times and locations of the SMART Trailers will
be varied and enforcement will almost always follow after a SMART Trailer has been moved.
I will keep you advised of the progress of BLITZ 2001. Please contact mc if you have any questions
or Concerns.
JMG:~:I~:PS:GT:MMS
F:~oOL~TECHSERVL~OLICIES\COM~MEMO\biitz 2001 .Itc wpd