Miami-Beach-Code-Compliance-Goes-Beyond-the-Call-of-Duty
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community.
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2018
Miami Beach Code Compliance Goes Beyond the Call of Duty
— Spending Their Day Off Rehabilitating a Resident’s Home —
Miami Beach, FL – Without a sense of caring, there could be no sense of community.
Code Compliance Officer Jacqueline Caicedo discovered this powerful alliance when
she came across a long-time Miami Beach resident in need.
“A few weeks ago, I received a call from dispatch that a property’s lawn was severely
overgrown,” explained Caicedo. “After speaking with the resident and hearing his
backstory, I felt it was in my heart to not simply give him a violation, but rather help him
bring his home into compliance.”
The elderly man has not cut his lawn for over four years following the loss of a close
family member. Due to serious health complications this past year, he’s also been
physically unable to cut his lawn or afford costly lawn maintenance from a landscape
company.
Touched by his circumstance, Caicedo felt compelled to help the resident. She
contacted the Office of Community Resources and filled out an application on his behalf
for the City’s Homeowner Rehabilitation Program for which he qualifies. Utilizing State
Housing Initiatives Program (SHIP) funds, the program provides eligible homeowners in
Miami Beach with up to $70,000 in housing rehabilitation funds to remodel homes to
enable aging in place, acquire energy efficient cooling and heating systems, or address
code and safety concerns.
However, the waiting process can be lengthy. Acting alongside the application process,
Caideco quickly called upon her fellow colleagues to join her in volunteering this past
Saturday morning to address the immediate property maintenance concerns. Over 11
employees from the department brought their own equipment and got to work mowing
the yard, pulling weeds, fixing the patio screen and more to bring his home into
compliance – ultimately, spreading kindness throughout the community.
“I am so proud of our city staff for going above and beyond in performing this act of
kindness,” said Miami Beach Commissioner Micky Steinberg. “As an official City of
Kindness, Miami Beach encourages everyone to offer a helping hand to anyone in
need.”
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community.
Watch a video of this charitable act by clicking here.
To download the video, please click here.
###
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access
for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored
proceedings, call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via
711 (Florida Relay Service).