Item Coversheet

NEW BUSINESS  14.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee Members


FROM:
Raul J. Aguila, Interim City Manager


DATE: March 22, 2021


SUBJECT:DISCUSSION REGARDING THE SOBESAFE RESOLUTION ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

HISTORY:

On January 26, 2021 the SOBESafe organization issued a resolution urging the City of Miami Beach to enact procedures that would enhance the visibility and expeditious implementation of technology initiatives in support of public safety.

ANALYSIS

Two processes were highlighted in the resolution:

 

1. Prepare a 90-day short-term incremental, innovation plan to pick the low-hanging fruit. This plan will cover only those innovations that are not part of the City’s current operations but which will produce meaningful results, and which meet four other criteria: 

  • relatively modest incremental resources
  • currently available technology
  • can be done entirely on authority that resides with the City
  • realizable within 90 days from the time the plan is finished

 

2. Document and report regularly and publicly on all current and currently-approved security implementations pertaining to cameras, real-time monitoring, and street lighting, including those that extend beyond the 90-day window, in the form of a dashboard. This would describe the activity, the originally planned timeline and current status, and issues that are preventing successful outcomes.

 

The Police Department continues their partnership with City departments and the community groups to create innovative plans that contribute to a safer Miami Beach. As such, the police department remains proactive in identifying areas each and every day through the lens of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles.

Because we are a 24-hr operation, the Department has identified lighting concerns that require the attention of our Public Works Department. The Department is working parallel to Public Works who has already taken steps to improve lighting on Collins Avenue from 7th-17th Streets by advocating such to the State of Florida. The State has committed to replace current lighting with modern white, brighter and illuminous lights. This is expected to continue through the end of June. Improved lighting as described here will not only improve conditions but will also reduce the perception of fear.

Additionally, the Police Department continues to work with Property Management in completing the design of the Real Time Crime Center. As construction begins later this year, priority will be given to completing the RTCC in order to advance the priorities set forth by the Commission to prioritize the use of technology to enhance public safety. We anticipate the completion of the RTCC will be in the year 2022.

Applicable Area

Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds?
Yes No 

Strategic Connection

Neighborhoods - Prevent and solve crime for residents and visitors.
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
SOBESAFE.ORG Resolution Memo - C4J Feb 10, 2021Memo