| | | | | | | | | TO: | Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee Members |
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| FROM:
| Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| | DATE: | September 20, 2021
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| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE TOPS PROGRAM: OFF DUTY POLICE. |
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
| Commissioner Mark Samuelian placed a referral to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) on the October 30, 2019 City Commission Meeting agenda to review the status of the "Tourist Oriented Police Services" (TOPS) program, to identify reasons why intended businesses have not been participating, and find ways to remedy the issue.
LTC 076-2019, included in this item for ease of reference, further delineates the TOPS program and its intent. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| The TOPS Program was originally created as a 12-week pilot in 2018 and a tool to reduce crime and increase uniform visibility on weekend evenings on Ocean Drive. Its success led to a more permanent program through which to provide a tool for businesses in the Art Deco Cultural District (ADCD) to access off-duty police personnel to further deter crime and bolster the area's safety.
The City secured TOPS funding to pay for a supervisor that would oversee the off-duty officers for a minimum of 3 or 4 establishments. However, most businesses, with the exception of Mango’s Tropical Café, did not make use of the program. While the business did not contribute to the program’s funding, pre-pandemic communication with the Ocean Drive Association confirmed that there is commitment to the program and a willingness to participate.
Due to recent discussion regarding the hours of alcohol sales within the ADCD and other proposed changes to Ocean Drive, the TOPS program funding has been used to address the myriad of quality-of-life issues faced on Ocean Drive due to the difficulty filling the off-duty positions. The Department has also made a recommendation to increase the off-duty compensation rate for nightclubs. The department feels they will be in a stronger position to obtain volunteers to staff these types of establishments through a rate increase.
If the off-duty opportunities do in fact increase and are filled, a portion of the TOPS funding can be utilized to compensate an overtime supervisor position that will monitor the needs of the off-duty officers working at these establishments. |
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
The Department continues to partner with outside police agencies willing to assist the City Of Miami Beach by providing their own off duty police services at night club venues. This partnership provides a police presence to address any unwanted or criminal behavior in and around the venue. Once the aforementioned matters have been resolved in a positive way, the TOPS program can resume in order to provide a safer more vibrant Art Deco Cultural District.
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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| | | | | | | | Strategic Connection
| | Neighborhoods - Prevent and solve crime for residents and visitors. |
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