Miami-Beach-Police-Returns-Home-After-Assisting-in-the-Aftermath-of-Hurricane-Michael-
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
MEDIA ALERT
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
Ernesto Rodriguez, E-mail: ernestorodriguez@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2018
Miami Beach Police Officers Return Home After Assisting
in the Aftermath of Hurricane Michael
— Public Welcomes Back First Responders —
Miami Beach, FL – Yesterday evening, families, residents and fellow Miami Beach Police
officers welcomed back their loved ones as they returned from serving the communities
impacted by Hurricane Michael.
“In my 28 years, this is the proudest I’ve ever been of a group that has traveled and been
under adverse conditions,” expressed Deputy Police Chief Rick Clements, who led the
volunteer crusade. “We truly turned what was a law enforcement mission into a humanitarian
mission.”
The crew of 41 men and women were crucial in helping Panama City recover from the
Category 4 storm. Officers assisted both residents and law enforcement as they went door-to-
door providing basic first aid and water, along with helping respond to the influx of emergency
calls.
“I watched these guys come back to post after 11 or 12 hours, riding into neighborhoods where
they had no clue what was waiting for them,” added Clements. “And then they went out the
next day with that same enthusiasm, coming in and out of post repeatedly wanting to bring
people clothes, ice and water. That’s what made this all so special.”
Going above and beyond the call of duty, the group also provided teddy bears to affected
children as part of Operation Ted E. Bear and uplifted citizens who had lost everything – giving
Floridians in the panhandle a feeling of safety and community.
A video recap of the warm welcome home can be found here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lerhc1521hp3iva/AAChHBA_Yma7CnW9xC60GjL6a?dl=0
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