09-09-2013, 06:23 AM
I admit, since the bullshit rally that was supposed to be at the AAA I haven't done anything that the FOP has asked me to do...just like a lot of other members
But, I got this email from Ortiz the other day about having another meeting with the Grove residents at city hall this Thursday and I gotta say he might have something with this. if 250 or 300 Grove residents showed up again and voiced their concerns about crime and more police officers, along with as many members the room can fit....well lets face it, it's probably the only way we ever have a chance of getting back what the city took.
I don't trust Ortiz any further than I can throw him but showing up at the meeting with the citizens behind us is a good thing for you and me...the officers of this department and our families. city hall can ignore us but they can't ignore the citizens complaining along with us.
even if you hate Ortiz, Diaz or the entire FOP don't let that stop you from going. Do it for yourselves and your families..
ALL MEMBERS NEEDED THIS THURSDAY -- 9/12/2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of speaking to approximately 250 Coconut Grove residents that are deeply concerned with how understaffed the Miami Police Department has been. Mayor Regalado said that in our future budget, we are adding 25 cops. He forgot to mention that we already have about 40 vacant positions. In the 18 months that Chief Orosa has been running the MPD, we haven't grown a single police officer in our police force. When Regalado was asked what were his long term goals were for the MPD, he rambled about some story of when he was a little boy....Very disturbing.
In my statement, I advised them that Chief Orosa is doing everything he can to hire police officers. They have put their own commercials and have a total of 13 individuals working in recruitment and selection. This is extremely important because the commission is blaming the MPD for not being able to hire, instead of taking responsibility for our terrible pay benefits.
Those neighbors were told that even though the tax rate has been set, the way the money will be dispersed depends on what the commission decides. Those residents are returning this Thursday to have their voices heard. In support of those residents that publicly stated we need to be compensated reasonably to hire more police, we must be there also.
We are asking that all of you flood the City Hall chambers at 1600 HRS THIS THURSDAY. With several hundred residents and ourselves coming together on Thursday, we can make our voices heard. Our goal is for the City of Miami to add $10 million dollars to next year's budget on top of what is proposed. Can it be done? On a half a billion dollar budget, I'm sure it can be. With $10 million dollars, the City can restore our benefits to make us competitive again (that would cost about $8 million dollars). By becoming competitive with surrounding police departments, the MPD will be able to fill the approximately 40 vacant positions open now, fill the 25 additional positions already in next year's budget, and add approximately 30 police officers (starting pay and all benefits for entry level police officers is about $67,000 divided by $2 million is about 30 more cops, cited from a DOJ COPS Grant) with this increase.
I was asked why do police departments in Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach pay so much more? My response was because the commissioners in those municipalities have their priorities straight. Police must be the #1 priority of our commissioners.
Shirts will be provided at the event for residents and police officers. Our recruitment trailer will be on scene for those of you that want to be recruited to better departments in the meantime. We have about 140 Miami police officers actively applying to be picked up by other departments. We welcome our retirees to attend and participate. Tell everyone you know.
Let's take back our City and tell City Hall what is the top priority for our residents: THE POLICE
But, I got this email from Ortiz the other day about having another meeting with the Grove residents at city hall this Thursday and I gotta say he might have something with this. if 250 or 300 Grove residents showed up again and voiced their concerns about crime and more police officers, along with as many members the room can fit....well lets face it, it's probably the only way we ever have a chance of getting back what the city took.
I don't trust Ortiz any further than I can throw him but showing up at the meeting with the citizens behind us is a good thing for you and me...the officers of this department and our families. city hall can ignore us but they can't ignore the citizens complaining along with us.
even if you hate Ortiz, Diaz or the entire FOP don't let that stop you from going. Do it for yourselves and your families..
ALL MEMBERS NEEDED THIS THURSDAY -- 9/12/2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of speaking to approximately 250 Coconut Grove residents that are deeply concerned with how understaffed the Miami Police Department has been. Mayor Regalado said that in our future budget, we are adding 25 cops. He forgot to mention that we already have about 40 vacant positions. In the 18 months that Chief Orosa has been running the MPD, we haven't grown a single police officer in our police force. When Regalado was asked what were his long term goals were for the MPD, he rambled about some story of when he was a little boy....Very disturbing.
In my statement, I advised them that Chief Orosa is doing everything he can to hire police officers. They have put their own commercials and have a total of 13 individuals working in recruitment and selection. This is extremely important because the commission is blaming the MPD for not being able to hire, instead of taking responsibility for our terrible pay benefits.
Those neighbors were told that even though the tax rate has been set, the way the money will be dispersed depends on what the commission decides. Those residents are returning this Thursday to have their voices heard. In support of those residents that publicly stated we need to be compensated reasonably to hire more police, we must be there also.
We are asking that all of you flood the City Hall chambers at 1600 HRS THIS THURSDAY. With several hundred residents and ourselves coming together on Thursday, we can make our voices heard. Our goal is for the City of Miami to add $10 million dollars to next year's budget on top of what is proposed. Can it be done? On a half a billion dollar budget, I'm sure it can be. With $10 million dollars, the City can restore our benefits to make us competitive again (that would cost about $8 million dollars). By becoming competitive with surrounding police departments, the MPD will be able to fill the approximately 40 vacant positions open now, fill the 25 additional positions already in next year's budget, and add approximately 30 police officers (starting pay and all benefits for entry level police officers is about $67,000 divided by $2 million is about 30 more cops, cited from a DOJ COPS Grant) with this increase.
I was asked why do police departments in Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach pay so much more? My response was because the commissioners in those municipalities have their priorities straight. Police must be the #1 priority of our commissioners.
Shirts will be provided at the event for residents and police officers. Our recruitment trailer will be on scene for those of you that want to be recruited to better departments in the meantime. We have about 140 Miami police officers actively applying to be picked up by other departments. We welcome our retirees to attend and participate. Tell everyone you know.
Let's take back our City and tell City Hall what is the top priority for our residents: THE POLICE