COMMENTARY ON THE CURRENT STATE OF MIAMI BEACH PUBLIC SAFETY:

Recently I have seen a great deal of back slapping, as Miami Beach Police Chief Oates publishes crime statistics, bragging on a 9% decrease in overall crime. Included in that number is a 77% INCREASE in rape and a 17% INCREASE in burglaries. Click the link below for more details. What is not included is comparables with rates in cities like Miami, Coral Gables etc.

That being said, every year since 2013 we hear about a decrease in crime rates, so why is it that most people feel an increased level of danger? Residents and neighbors reach out to me by the hundreds to tell me that they do not feel safe. You can spout off all the stats in the world, but stats are not going to make folks feel secure if there is not adequate police visibility throughout the city. And when I say police visability I am not talking about "community policing." That term is a cute, hypothetical, unattainable kind of policing that sounds good on a campaign flyer and candidly makes me want to puke. What we need is a PREVENTATIVE POLICING model, where instead of waiting for calls for service and swarming to an arrest our police are in constant, visible motion with the car windows down making contact with bad guys.

Let me be clear, I am a former veteran state prosecutor who worked hand-in-hand with Miami Beach Police for years. I have the upmost respect for our officers, but they are operating in a broken system. With some new leadership in city hall maybe its time for some fresh leadership in Police Headquarters. Our officers want to do their jobs.

I was heartbroken to hear that within less than a week of watching elected officials cut the ribbon on a playground I and several residents fought for, a man was arrested after exposing himself to a park full of kids. Maybe, just maybe, a new playground warrants increased police patrols and decreased ribbon cuttings. This was a preventable incident, as are many in the city if we staffed and deployed our resources properly.

Attached are police reports and photos from just last night's criminal activity. We need a new direction and not just fake hustle.

http://www.remiamibeach.com/citywide...han-9-in-2017/