Resolution 2024-32957 RESOLUTION Nall 2024-32957
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DECLARING MAY 25, 2024 AS
FAMILY, ABDUCTION AWARENESS DAY IN THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, AND DIRECTING THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT
TO CONDUCT COMMUNITY OUTREACH INITIATIVES AIMED AT
EDUCATING RESIDENTS ABOUT THE PREVALENCE, RISKS, AND
CONSEQUENCES OF FAMILY ABDUCTION.
WHEREAS, family abduction is a devastating and traumatic experience that
affects countless families across the nation, often resulting in emotional distress and long-
term consequences for both the abducted children and their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, May 25th is National Missing Children Awareness Day and the month
of May provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate support for national efforts to
reduce the threat of family abductions, reunite the children who are missing with their
families, and honor all those who are working for the cause; and
WHEREAS, every 40 seconds, a child goes missing or is abducted in the United
States and statistically, 90% of all missing children get taken by their parents or another
family member; and
WHEREAS, a family abduction occurs when a child is taken, wrongfully retained,
or concealed by a parent or other family member depriving another individual of their right
to custody or visitation, even in cases with vague,or absent court orders; and
WHEREAS, a family abduction is often an act of frustration by the perpetrator with
the left-behind parent, the legal system, or his or her own situation in life; and
WHEREAS, a family abduction has distinctive characteristics including emotional
and psychological trauma to the child and left-behind family; and
WHEREAS, as the City of Miami Beach strives to remain vigilant and informed
about the dangers that face children within our communities, it is critical to recognize that
family abduction is a serious crime— not only a civil matter- in all 50 states; and
WHEREAS, a Family Abduction occurs when a child is taken, wrongfully retained,
WHEREAS, law enforcement officers should recognize'these events not AS harmless
offenses where two parents are arguing over who loves the child more, but instead as an
insidious form of child abuse; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent on law enforcement agencies to maintain written plans
which specify actions and procedures for promptly meeting situations of alleged family
abduction; and
WHEREAS, courts have held that law enforcement is responsible for making
certain that the child is with the person who has lawful custody and must verify the validity
of any court orders, and when an agency fails to identify a need for training and to set
policy for matters which are foreseeable, it creates a threat to.public health; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor. and City Commission wish to declare May 25, 2024 as
Family Abduction,Awareness Day in the City of Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS,.to highlight the importance of Family Abduction Awareness Day, the
Mayor and City Commission direct the. Miami. Beach Police Department to conduct
community outreach initiatives,aimed at educating residents about the prevalence, risks,
and consequences of family abduction, as well as providing guidance on the warning
signs, preventive measures, and available resources to address this issue effectively.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT. RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby declare May 25, 2024 as Family Abduction Awareness Day in the
City of Miami Beach, and direct the Miami Beach Police Department to conduct
community outreach initiatives aimed at educating residents about the prevalence, risks,
and consequences of family abduction:
PASSED and ADOPTED this /3 day of �IQre4 , 2024.
ATTEST:
•
Steven Meiner, Mayor
MAR 1 5 202 0.8 ,,,h
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk .
'.INCORPIORATED
141
(Sponsored byCommissioner Laura Dominguez) '��9' �•�'
.p 9 ). � �RcH 6:
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION.
_CI - 1�
City Attorney.�/ Datd
2
Resolutions-C7 R
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rafael A. Paz, City Attorney
DATE: March 13, 2024
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DECLARING MAY 25, 2024 AS FAMILY
ABDUCTION AWARENESS DAY IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, AND
DIRECTING THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT
COMMUNITY OUTREACH INITIATIVES AIMED AT EDUCATING
RESIDENTS ABOUT THE PREVALENCE, RISKS, AND CONSEQUENCES
OF FAMILYABDUCTION.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify name of lobbyist(s)and principal(s): N/A
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner Laura
Dominguez.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Page 329 of 1070
Sponsor
Commissioner Laura Dominguez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Resolution
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Page 330.of 1070