LTC 053-2004 South Pointe Park Pier Closure CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. o53-2oo
To:
From:
SubJect:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez
City Manager
SOUTH POINTE PARK PIER CLOSURE
Date: March 2, 2004
This Letter to the City Commission is to provide information on the temporary closure of the
pier in South Pointe Park from March 5, 2004 through April 12, 2004.
The pier has become progressively more problematic for the Police Department for a
number of public safety issues. This area has increasingly become a location for juveniles
to congregate causing large numbers of disturbances including fights, drug activity, as well
as the many individuals who choose to illegally dive from the pier into Government Cut.
This activity wreaks havoc with the quality of life for residents in the area, with the multitude
of boaters and jet skiers navigating through this waterway and is furthering the physical
deterioration of the pier itself. To prevent these gatherings from escalating into volatile
situations, Patrol Officers and the Police Department's Marine Patrol vessel are frequently
utilized to disperse these crowds. This has become a constant drain on the limited
resources of the Police Department during peak periods.
The upcoming Spring Break period is expected to bring a large number of additional
visitors to our area. As was evident last year, weekends during the month of March and
beginning of April will have large amounts of students enjoying South Beach. To handle
this influx of tourists, the Miami Beach Police Department has developed an enhanced
staffing plan. Diverting officers from their duties to prevent the disruptive behavior on the
pier du ring this critical time frame will inhibit the ability of the Police Department to maintain
adequate staffing levels throughout the City during Spring Break. Therefore, in order to
ensure public safety and protect the physical condition of the pier, the pier will be
temporarily closed during this period.
JMG\DWD\tr
c: Bob Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Chief Donald W. De Lucca
Major John DiCenso
Fred Beckmann, Public Works Director
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