After the summer recess, I’m happy to report that the All Grove Crime Watch meetings are back in session. This month’s meeting was on Wednesday, September 9th at its usual location, St. Stephen’s School on McFarlane Road.
The All Grove Crime Watch is a supporter of the Miami Police Department’s Youth Empowerment Program. The program recruits disadvantaged youth, primarily from the West Grove and uses police officers to mentor them through various structured activities over a period of several weeks. Donations to the Youth Empowerment Program are always welcome and can be made through the donation button on the All Grove Crime Watch webpage: grovecrimewatch.org.
Police Report
For police patrol and crime reporting purposes, Coconut Grove is divided into six geographical areas called zones. Commander Manuel Morales advised that although crime is still relatively low in Coconut Grove, Zone 1 (northernmost area from the entrance to the Rickenbacker Causeway to Mercy Hospital, Alice Wainwright Park and the Viscaya/Museum area is experiencing an increase in vehicular burglaries. The police suspect that these burglars are the same as the ones reported in the news breaking into bicyclists’ cars on the Causeway. This crime pattern appears to be moving into Zone 2, the primarily residential area just south of Zone 1 near Kennedy Park. Interestingly, the North Grove HOA called the Brickell HOA (yes Brickell), which like Utopia has off-duty police patrol has not experienced any break-ins.
In regard to vehicular burglaries, Commander Morales described offenders as being either the “door checker” or the “window breaker” and seldom are they ever one in the same. The door checker is more of an opportunist as compared to the window breaker who often targets a particular car. The commander has encountered many victims who claim they would rather have someone open the door to their car than break the window or slash a convertible roof. However, in his years’ of experience he has learned that the door checker moves along when the door is locked and strongly recommends that you always lock your car doors
The Center Grove, Zone 3, often referred to as the downtown area has seen a 40% decline in overall crime as compared from last summer.
The West Grove, Zone 4, has experienced an increase in contact shootings (when someone is injured or killed by a projectile) up to 15 this year as compared to only six last year. Commander Morales stressed that these incidents involve targeted individuals known to the offenders and often result from drug trafficking and gang disputes.
Zones 5 and 6 (Utopia is in Zone 5) has had only one burglary this summer as compared to 11 last year.
Commander Morales urged everyone to look out for one another and call the police immediately when something looks suspicious. He stressed that the Grove continues to be an attractive place for criminals to strike and we must remain vigilant.
State Attorney’s Office Report
A representative from the State Attorney’s Office gave a detailed report of the status of recent arrests and prosecutions of individuals arrested for committing crimes in the Grove. Crime Watch as agreed to begin publishing photographs and arrest information of habitual offenders arrested for crimes committed in Coconut Grove.
Court Watch and Code Watch
Tom Cobitz presented the update on the Court Watch program in which he and other Crime Watch members and Grove residents keep track of habitual offenders’ cases through the criminal justice system and speak on behalf of Coconut Grove at sentencing and other court hearings. The All Grove Crime Watch represents over 2300 members. When Mr. Cobitz and others speak on behalf our members at sentencing or bond hearings, or when addressing nuisance complaints, judges listen.
Mr. Cobitz is also the representative of the Crime Watch’s Code Watch in which members work with residents to identify abandoned or dilapidated structures that often lead to drug sales and other illegal activity. Code Watch works with the police and code enforcement to enforce nuisance abatement laws which could lead to demolition of the unsafe structure or forcing the property owners to secure the buildings. Code Watch is currently focusing its efforts on a property located at 3531 Grand Avenue which is set for a nuisance abatement hearing on September 22.
Other News
The City of Miami’s Neighborhood Enhancement Team representative passed out a flyer which I’m certain is of interest to many of our Utopia members. Called “Rules on Scoop the Poop”, the City wants to remind residents that pet waste pollutes our water and our community. They especially stress to NOT DUMP YOUR DOG POOP BAG ON THE STREET OR TRASH PILE! Failure to pick up after your pet may result in a $50 fine. Disposing of animal feces on private or public property is punishable by a fine of up to $500.
You can request a “Scoop the Poop” sign for problem areas by contacting the Grove’s NET office or call 311.
