Crime Watch: Assault at Gunpoint

Assault at gunpoint on Freeman Street

PLEASE BEWARE:

From a resident: Last night at 1:00 in the morning my neighbor’s son who was visiting drove into the driveway and was assaulted at gunpoint by (3) men wearing hoodies and gloves. They were driving a newish white Range Rover. The men wanted his keys and wallet. They put him a choke hold while taking his wallet. When he handed the guys his keys to the car, they dropped them in the grass and then got very upset and told him they were going to “put him to sleep”. My neighbor’s son started screaming and then the dog inside started barking and the guys ran away.

Commander Morales’ response:

Additional Reminder from Commander Morales… from a phone conversation 5/23/2016 :

1. Be mindful of your surroundings
2. Leave nothing in your cars 
3. Lock your cars!
4. Leave nothing interesting outside your house.
5. Make no reason for for them to come into our neighborhood.

If you think or feel that someone is following you, call the police and drive to a very well lighted, commercial location. Do not get out of the car until the police arrive.

“Bikes vs. Cars” film at Cocowalk

On Wed., March 16, Bike Coconut Grove is hosting the exclusive Miami screening of an award-winning new documentary film, “Bikes vs. Cars,” which shows how five major world cities are dealing with traffic and congestion. The screening will be at the Cinepolis Cinemas in Cocowalk, beginning at 7 p.m. with a pre-screening party in the theater’s café area. The tax-deductible ticket price of $20 includes refreshments and beer or wine. Bike Coconut Grove is offering bike valet parking in the Cocowalk garage (enter from Grand Ave.).

Bikes vs Cars

“Bikes vs. Cars” is a 90-minute documentary about the struggle to control traffic in five major world cities: Los Angeles, Sao Paolo, Bogota, Copenhagen, and Toronto. Some of them are encouraging bicycling, but others are not. All points of view are represented, including motorists.

If you want to see how other cities are solving (or not solving) their traffic problems, this lively, controversial film tells their story. An added bonus will be the Q&A session at the conclusion of the film moderated by Andres Viglucci of the Miami Herald and Ray Fort of Arquitectonica.

 
The best way to buy tickets is online and in advance. Go to the Bike Coconut Grove website to purchase your tickets now.

Even if you can’t attend the screening, please consider buying tickets. Bike Coconut Grove will make them available to high school students, and you’ll be making a tax-deductible donation to support efforts to make Coconut Grove safer and more convenient for bicyclists and pedestrians.

This message is posted as a community service announcement. Utopia Homeowners Security Association is not affiliated with Bikes vs Cars or Bike Coconut Grove.

Volunteers Needed for Utopia Committees!

Can you help?

Crime Watch Representative Needed

The 2016 Board of Directors SEEKS Members to represent Utopia HOSA at the “Grove Crime Watch” Meetings. Our community organization is the role model for other neighborhoods. We need a representative to attend monthly meetings and report back to our membership.

Social Committee

We all know “it takes a village” – and by gosh, we are one! So please take the time to lend us a hand. We’ve not had one of our legendary social events in a while because frankly that same crew is getting tuckered out. We have an offer of a wonderful house for an outdoor evening event, perhaps a dance party! We also have suggestions for family events in our little park such as a picnic, BBQ, and/or cocktail get together, but we need new people to lead our Utopia social life.

Website

Utopia has a feature rich website. We’re looking for new ideas on how to make it better.

Please let me know if you can join or lead a committee!

Gale Patron, President
[email protected]

Shots Fired into Tucker Elementary School Building

This morning our units responded to Tucker elementary school at SW 37 Ave and Thomas Ave. in reference to shots fired. The on-scene investigation revealed that several shots had been fired a block north of the school. A stray bullet had struck a building at the school. No students were injured in the incident. At this time we are looking for a black male with dreads, medium build and in his 20’s, wearing a black hoodie and dark pants. The suspect was armed and fled in a 4 door white vehicle with tinted windows. We are following several investigative leads, but the need the public’s help to provide any information that may assist the investigation.

I will discuss the incident in further detail tonight at our West Grove Crime Watch at 7pm at Greater St. Paul AME church located at 3680 Thomas Ave. The safety of our kids needs to be our number 1 priority and I have modified our strategy to ensure we can provide our community’s educational facilities a safe environment for our children to learn. I have assigned a grove beat officer to monitor the area of Tucker Elementary from Monday – Friday from 7a-4p. In addition, our Problem Solving Team will be conducting anti-narcotics operation in the adjacent area to address the sale of drugs. Please come out tonight and get involved, only by working together will we be able bring lasting peace to our community.

Please call 911 or 305-471-TIPS if you have any information.

Thanks and I will keep you posted on our progress.

Commander Manuel A. Morales
Coconut Grove NET
Miami Police Department
South District Substation
2200 West Flagler St.
Miami, FL. 33135