Greetings fellow Utopians from your member representative for the All Grove Crime Watch:
Below are the highlights of the March 11th meeting:
Police Chief Rodolfo “Rudy” Llanes
The first guest speaker was newly assigned Miami Police Chief Rodolfo “Rudy” Llanes. Chief Llanes stated that the Miami Police Department provides a small town type of police services in a large city and reiterated his commitment to provide professional police services that are responsive to the community’s needs.
A lively discussion ensued, initiated by a person who witnessed the shooting that occurred in February near Grove Elementary where two alleged gang members were shot. This was the first Crime Watch meeting this individual had ever attended and was unfamiliar with the Crime Watch concept. He blamed the police for a lack of visibility in that area, which he claimed has open drug sales at all hours. The Crime Watch concept of citizens being the eyes and ears of the police and using a holistic approach to reduce crime and improve the quality of life was explained to the gentleman. Shortly thereafter he left the meeting.
Gang Violence Update
Commander Morales provided a brief history of the gang activity in the West Grove which was tied to the aforementioned shooting. The current ongoing gang violence is a result of a leadership vacuum after several years of targeted enforcement resulted in the dismantling of the infamous Get Money Boys, including the arrests of its leaders. The remnants of that gang has bifurcated into the 37th Avenue Gang and the Douglas Road Gang. These gang members to do not wear “colors” or have any other identifiers. This most recent shooting is believed to be a continuing dispute since 2012 after two murders resulted from an argument over a basketball game. The police continue their enforcement efforts to reduce gang violence and gang activity.
Playhouse Update
Judge Martin Zilber was the guest speaker. Judge Zilber, originally from Miami Beach, has been a South Grove resident for the past 25 years. He provided an overview of family court and also a brief history of the Coconut Grove Playhouse and the pending issue before the County Commission on the proposed renovation/restoration and competing business plans to bring theater performances back to the Grove. Judge Zilber served on the Playhouse’s board of directors for many years.
Court Watch Update
Assistant State Attorney David Maer, in conjunction with the Crime Watch’s Court Watch Program, provided an update on several individuals that have been arrested in Coconut Grove. These defendants have been identified as habitual offenders, mainly of petit crimes such as thefts and car burglaries. ASA Maer gave arraignment and trial dates and sentencing information which ranged from probation, house arrest, jail and prison as well as those that have been recently released, either on bond or have completed their sentences.
Neighborhood reports
South Grove
In the South Grove, neighbors near the Battersea area have seen door to door sales of magazines and cleaning supplies. These are commonly referred to as “Gypsy Sellers” and should be reported to the police. Some of them use aggressive tactics and have tried to force themselves into people’s homes.
An increase in construction activity in the Battersea area was also noted.
This was a segue into the theft that occurred on Bonita Avenue on Saturday, March 7 in which an individual in a black Mercedes SUV ML500, dressed as a construction worker, entered into the yard of a home in which a construction crew was installing a brick driveway and took a concrete cutting saw. (See Utopia update) Commander Morales advised that this person is a suspect in similar crimes of opportunity at construction sites and from lawn services vehicles in the area. Within the past two weeks, in addition to Bonita Avenue, he has struck on Calusa Street, Coacoochee Street and on the campus of the University of Miami. The police have tentatively identified the suspect. The driver of the SUV has not been identified.
North Grove
The North Grove reported continued illegal dumping.
Update on Police Staffing
Ron Nelson, Chief of Staff to Commissioner Marc Sarnoff advised that a large number of police officers are scheduled to retire in 2016. Based on several factors including a difficulty in hiring qualified candidates, an 18 month transition period from hiring to training to actual patrol, not keeping pace with attrition, and an increase in population, the city remains below the average of cities the size of Miami in police to population ratio. Mr. Sarnoff continues to push for the hiring of 100 officers (net gain) per year.
City of Miami Programs
Representatives from the City of Miami presented two programs that may interest members:
Citizens on Patrol
Citizens on Patrol is a training program offered by the police for individuals wishing to form citizen patrols of their neighborhoods as the “eyes and ears” of the police. The program teaches you how to identify suspicious activities, persons and vehicles and how to report it to the police.
Citizens Emergency Response Team
CERT or Citizens Emergency Response Team is presented by the police and fire departments to train citizens to assist during emergencies such as hurricanes, major power outages, etc. You will be trained to assist first responders in activities such as directing traffic, distributing supplies, and other non-emergency actions.
Business Improvement District Update
Manny Gonzalez of the Business Improvement District (BID) updated the group on the City’s efforts to pass new legislation to prohibit camping on City-owned property. This should further assist in curbing related nuisances in Peacock Park where an increase in individuals who live on the spoil islands come ashore and create disturbances in the park.
A Panther Coffee house is scheduled to open this year on Main Avenue. Harry’s Pizza will also be opening on MacFarlane Road, and the owner of Strada in South Miami will be opening a restaurant on the site of the former nail salon on the corner of Grand Avenue and Commodore Plaza. Additional new businesses will be announced in the near future.
Members were encouraged to join “Code Watch.” Code Watch employs the “broken window” philosophy that a holistic approach is needed to reduce crime, particularly through the use of code enforcement. The same approach that has converted the north Biscayne Boulevard area into a thriving business district will be employed in the Grove. Code Watch works regularly with the police, code enforcement and utility companies to target nuisances. Their most recent efforts has led to a nuisance abatement hearing scheduled for March 25 at 5 pm at City Hall to address a property owner at Hibiscus and Grand that through neglect has created an atmosphere conducive to drug sales and other illegal activities.
Open Meetings
The monthly Crime Watch meetings are open to the public and Utopia members are encouraged to attend. We meet the second Wednesday of every month at 7 pm at St. Stephens.
