Pursuant to Section 2-256(d)(14) of the City Code, the Inspector General (“OIG”) is required to prioritize referrals by the City Commission to the OIG . The purpose of this referral is to request priority review by the IOG of pervasive fraudulent misuse of disabled placards by non-disabled employees of establishments in the South of Fifth neighborhood. As the rampant misuse throughout the South of Fifth neighborhood may indicate that this is a coordinated effort, I would like for the OIG to review whether any licensed establishments or valet parking operators are unlawfully using and/or distributing disabled placards to non-disabled employees who use the placards to unlawfully park in residential zoned areas, in violation of federal, state and City’s permitting or license requirements.

I understand that the Miami Beach Police Department and the City’s Parking Department have been proactively investigating these issues, and the intent of this referral is for the OIG to collaboratively assist in these efforts to investigate and bring an end to this outrageous conduct as soon as possible.