Resolution 2025-33899 RESOLUTION NO.
2025-33899
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO CREATE
AND DEPLOY A SPECIALIZED TASK FORCE SINGULARLY FOCUSED ON
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S CAMPING ORDINANCE AND OTHER QUALITY
OF LIFE OFFENSES, DURING THE DAYTIME AND THE NIGHTTIME HOURS,
WITH PRIORITY TO BE GIVEN TO THE AREAS OF LINCOLN ROAD,
WASHINGTON AVENUE, COLLINS PARK, ALTOS DEL MAR PARK, AND THE
BEACHWALK.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach ("City") is committed to maintaining public safety and
quality of life for its residents, visitors, and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the unauthorized and illegal use of public spaces for camping and the
proliferation of quality-of-life offenses such as open container/drinking in public, drug-related activity,
assault and battery, loitering and prowling, aggressive panhandling, and various other criminal
activity, particularly in high-traffic and tourist-heavy areas, have negatively impacted the City's sense
of security and well-being; and
WHEREAS, the City's existing ordinances, along with State and County laws, provide a
framework for regulating such conduct, but enhanced, coordinated enforcement is necessary to
address persistent criminal violations and improve outcomes for affected areas; and
WHEREAS, it is essential for the City Administration, through the Police Department, to lead
in developing and deploying a coordinated and proactive enforcement strategy specifically designed
to address these quality-of-life challenges; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a specialized Task Force dedicated solely to the enforcement of
the City's Camping Ordinance and other quality-of-life offenses will allow for greater focus,
accountability, and consistency in addressing these issues; and
WHEREAS, the areas of Lincoln Road, Washington Avenue, Collins Park, Altos Del Mar Park,
and the Beachwalk are among the most impacted by such offenses and are therefore designated as
priority zones for the Task Force's enforcement efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby direct the City Administration to create and
deploy a specialized Task Force singularly focused on enforcement of the City's Camping Ordinance
and other quality of life offenses, during the daytime and the nighttime hours, with priority to be given
to the areas of Lincoln Road, Washington Avenue, Collins Park, Altos del Mar Park, and the
Beachwalk.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 3 day of � ��'� , 202
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ATTEST:
Steven Meiner, Mayor
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APPROVED AS TO
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk � FORM & LANGUAGE
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(Sponsored by Vice-Mayor David Suarez) _ 'S-'-;
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine i ' `� �� -
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CoSponsored by CommissionerAlex J.Fernandet ys,��� .��=
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CoSponsored by Mayor Steven Meiner ��,,, , ,
Resolutions - R7 P
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE: September 3, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO CREATE
AND DEPLOY A SPECIALIZED TASK FORCE SINGULARLY FOCUSED ON
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S CAMPING ORDINANCE AND OTHER QUALiTY
OF LIFE OFFENSES, DURING THE DAYTIME AND THE NIGHTTIME HOURS,
WITH PRIORITY TO BE GIVEN TO THE AREAS OF LINCOLN ROAD,
WASHINGTON AVENUE, COLLINS PARK, ALTOS DEL MAR PARK, AND THE
BEACHWALK.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and Commission consider a comprehensive
approach in creating the new Camping Enforcement Task Force as delineated below.
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
At the June 25, 2025, City Commission Meeting, at the request of Commissioner David Suarez,
the Mayor and City Commission considered a Resolution (R7 S) to create and deploy a
specialized task force singularly focused on enforcement of the city's camping ordinance and
other quality of life offenses.
The item was heard and deferred to the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting, with
direction to the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD)to return with a comprehensive strategy.
At the July 23, 2025, City Commission meeting, the item was not reached and was subsequently
carried over for future consideration.
ANALYSIS
Although the item was not reached at the July 23 meeting, MBPD proactively expanded its efforts
to address homelessness and quality of life concerns.
Beginning on July 27, MBPD increased staffing dedicated to quality of life and camping
enforcement, providing continuous coverage across all shifts: the day-shift Homeless Resource
Unit (HRU), two additional officers assigned to the afternoon shift, and two additional officers
assigned overnight. Between July 27 and August 24, these efforts resulted in 228 arrests of
individuals identifying as homeless, including 104 directly tied to camping violations.
These recent results build on Miami Beach's broader strategy, which combines outreach with
enforcement. HRU officers work with service providers to connect individuals to shelter,treatment,
and long-term housing, while patrol o�cers enforce the City's No Camping Ordinance to protect
public spaces and overall quality of life.
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Training rolied out in 2024 ensures every patrol officer has the skills to:
• Engage compassionately with the unhoused.
• Provide accurate, around-the-clock information on available services.
• Enforce the No Camping Ordinance consistently and lawfully.
This balanced approach, combining immediate enforcement with sustained outreach, has been
nationally recognized and has helped Miami Beach achieve one of its lowest homeless census
counts in years.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The enhanced enforcement efforts are being conducted with on-duty personnel, avoiding
overtime costs. Officers were reassigned from existing specialized units in Patrol, Criminal
Investigations, and Community Affairs, allowing the City to prioritize this initiative without
additional budgetary impact while maintaining overall department readiness.
CONCLUSION
The proactive measures taken since July 27 demonstrate that focused enforcement, paired with
outreach, delivers results. MBPD will continue refining this approach, enforcing laws to preserve
safety and quality of life, while connecting individuals to services that can help them leave the
streets. These efforts reinforce Miami Beach's commitment to being both safe and
compassionate.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riqht to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to Citv Code Section 2-17? Project?
No No
Was this Aqenda Item initiallv requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaqed in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Deaartment
Police
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner David Suarez
Co-sponsor(s)
Commissioner Joseph Magazine
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Mayor Steven Meiner
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Condensed Title
NR- Create Task Force to Enforce Camping 8� Other Quality of Life Offenses. (DS/JM/AF/SM)
PD
Previous Action (For Citv Clerk Use Only)
Not reached on 7/23/2025 - R7 J
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