Category: Newsletter

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Members,

As you may be already aware, in times of emergencies, our Utopia patrol officers can sometimes be called back to duty.   So this is a quick update to let you know, at this time, according to our Utopia Head of Security,  Lt. Andres Valdes:  “Be assured that COVID-19 has not effected Utopia Security in any way at this time.  The MPD has implemented every precaution possible to insure officers can and will meet their regular on and off-duty schedules.”

We will certainly keep you apprised if there are any major changes to our  April patrol schedule,  but we do not see any at this time.

Stay Safe,

Utopia Board

Members,

In an abundance of caution, Movie Night for this Friday March 13th is now postponed due to conditions warranting the limitation of gatherings of 50  or more (following the University of Miami guidelines) .  The new date has yet to be determined, but we will certainly notify you once it  is established.

Please let your non-member neighbors, who may have been planning to attend know about the postponement.

UHOA  Board

Neighbors, please be diligent in protecting your property from crimes of opportunity. Recently there have been three events in our neighborhood where unlocked vehicles have been entered and valuables stolen. Your Utopia Board is working with Miami Police who are coordinating efforts with Coral Gables police to identify and interdict a group of criminals in our area.

We are sharing this video (viewable on our website) taken by a Utopia neighbor from their security system. You can see for yourselves how easily and quickly an unlocked car can be burglarized, even while security cameras are running. This crime occurred near the intersection of Ventura and LaPlaya. The two other events occurred on Bonita Ave.

Many of us in the Grove do not have garages and leave our vehicles parked in the street or driveway. An unlocked car is the easiest target but a locked car with visible valuables will be broken into by criminals like these. Miami police report that most crimes of theft occur when vehicles are left unlocked or valuables are within easy sight and access from the street. Please lock your vehicles and remove valuables, especially computers, cameras, electronics, and other small valuables. Do not leave keys to your house or car outside. Many cars have been stolen when keys were left accessible, such as under the fender on the tire. Houses have been burglarized when door keys were left under a door mat or other accessible location. Don’t be a victim, be secure.

If you see a crime in progress or something suspicious call 911. Miami police will respond to 911 calls and dispatch appropriate police officers to investigate. If our officer is on duty, he/she will also be dispatched to respond to crime in progress. Remember that our patrol is here to deter crime through visible patrols and surveillance; but they are not a first contact for crime in progress. The Miami Police department coordinates all dispatch of officers to reported crimes and emergencies; including extra duty officers on patrol in Utopia.

Utopia is one of the lowest crime neighborhoods in the City of Miami. We have achieved this level of safety through our patrol services but we are not covered 24×7. These crimes occurred while our patrol was not in service. Please talk to your neighbors and ask the non-members to join our association so we can increase the number of patrol hours which will help to further deter incidents like these.

We are bursting with pride that your Utopia neighborhood is currently considered the safest non-gated community in the City of Miami—no kidding!

Not only are our crime stats the lowest, our attention to risk factors that affect the serenity of our surroundings are also part of our vigilance. Your board of directors successfully disabled and shut down the Airbnb ‘party house’ that was hosting massive private parties last fall. Through petitions to the city, the owners and to Airbnb directly, we exerted our strength as a force to restore peace to every neighbor, member or not.

We hope to  welcome the new Coconut Grove Commander Weslyn Lewis-Francoise to our March board meeting. Please notify us if you have police concerns that you wish to be addressed.

My best always, AND, LOCK YOUR CARS, even in Utopia’s paradise!

Gale Patron, Police Liaison