Mission Statement
To provide a safe and secure community through coordinated, efficient and effective, professional, courteous, public safety services.
Crime Rate
Violent crime in Miami-Dade County is down 2% from 2006 thanks to aggressive crime fighting initiatives by the Miami-Dade Police Department. In particular, Miami-Dade County saw a significant decrease in homicides in 2007, down 12% from 2006. Nationally, crime has increased, but targeted patrols and vigorous prosecution of repeat offenders in Miami-Dade County were just some of the enforcement initiatives utilized to achieve the reduced numbers.
Top
Illegal Gun Seizures
Mayor Carlos Alvarez launched a Gun Bounty Program in 2007 in an effort to curb violence by getting illegal guns off the streets. With the help of the Miami-Dade Police Department and Crimestoppers, more than 65 firearms were seized, including high powered assault rifles, and 36 people were arrested. Numerous major crimes were solved and individuals, who provided information that led to the gun seizures and arrests received $1,000 each.
Top
Reduced Juvenile Arrest Rate
Miami-Dade County saw its juvenile arrest rate decrease in 2007 thanks in part to a diversion program implemented at the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC). Since the center opened its doors in 1997, juvenile arrests have been reduced by 30%. The JAC’s Civil Citation Program allows juveniles to avoid arrest for misdemeanor crimes, sparing them from a criminal record. The program focuses on intervention and prevention, and encourages family involvement. Every arrest prevented through the Civil Citation Program saves taxpayers approximately $5,000.
Top
Fighting Mortgage Fraud
The Mayor’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force got to work in 2007 combating the problem of mortgage fraud. With the help of a new law that enables law enforcement to prosecute individuals who have the “intent to defraud” the mortgage process, the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) arrested 17 individuals. Another 1,000 cases are being investigated by MDPD’s Economic Crimes Bureau. The Task Force also created a Code of Conduct manual for real estate professionals and an online fraud reporting form.
Top
Domestic Security
Miami-Dade Police Department Director Robert Parker is currently serving as Chair of the Southeast Regional Security Task Force. The four-year appointment has uniquely positioned the Director to lead the region in the fight against terror.
Top
Port Security
The Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami-Dade seaport became the first port in South Florida to install radiation portal monitors, adding to layers of security already in place. All truckers exiting the port now have their containers screened for nuclear and radioactive materials.
Airport
Miami International Airport (MIA) remained a leader in national airport security. More than 3,000 MIA employees have been trained in Behavior Pattern Recognition™, a security technique that detects suspicious individuals based on behavior. MIA’s Assistant Director for Security and Communications, Lauren Stover, was also called to Washington, DC, to testify about the airport’s employee security screening program. MIA is the first airport and one of only two in the country to screen all airport employees who enter secured airport areas.
Top
Emergency Preparedness
The Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is being retooled to better handle both natural and man-made disasters. In 2007, a new director, C. Douglas Bass, was brought in to oversee the now independent department. Since his arrival, Director Bass has developed a Debris Management Plan that will save Miami-Dade County million of dollars in clean-up costs after a disaster and redeveloped the free shutter program for qualifying residents. The Department is currently planning the County’s first Hurricane Preparedness Expo for 2008.
Top
Emergency Alert System
Events around the country have taught us that instant information and communication are key in times of emergency. In conjunction with the Office of the Mayor, The Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security implemented Miami-Dade Alerts, a free public emergency notification system which allows people to receive emergency notifications on cell phones and other mobile devices. To date, more than 13,000 people have registered at http://www.miamidade.gov/oem/. Most area universities and municipalities are also participating in the program.
Top.
Fire Services
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) enhanced service and reduced response times with the addition of five new stations: Highland Oaks Fire-Rescue Station 63, Village of Homestead Fire-Rescue Station 66, East Homestead Fire-Rescue Station 65, East Kendall Fire-Rescue Station 13, and Trail Station 61. Fire Rescue also added two fire rescue boats and a paramedic helicopter to its arsenal of tools for handling medical and fire emergencies. Last year, MDFR handled more than 231,000 emergency calls.
Top
Smoke Detector Distributions
More than 200 low-income and elderly residents on fixed incomes received free smoke detectors for their homes compliments of MDFR.
Top
Corrections and Rehabilitation
With enhanced ethics, firearms, and inmate supervision training, combined with the hiring of 168 correctional officers, Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation had no inmate escapes, booked over 115,000 new arrestees, and safely released nearly 114,000 inmates.
Security was also significantly enhanced in 2007. The Metro West Detention Center received both security and fire alarm system upgrades. The Training and Treatment Center and Pre-Trial Detention Center received perimeter fencing upgrades and closed circuit video equipment was installed at several locations.
Security was also significantly enhanced in 2007. The Metro West Detention Center received both security and fire alarm system upgrades. The Training and Treatment Center and Pre-Trial Detention Center received perimeter fencing upgrades and closed circuit video equipment was installed at several locations.
Top
New Forensic Tools
To more accurately and efficiently determine an individual’s cause of death, the Medical Examiner’s Toxicology Laboratory employed several new hi-tech instruments. These included a gas chromatograph and automated evaporator to better screen for drugs and poisons; a new co-oximeter to measure carbon monoxide in blood, which is a significant cause of accidental death; and a chromatography data system to manage and coordinate information for best results.
Top
Medical Examiner Excellence
Miami-Dade County’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Bruce Hyma, was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to serve on Florida’s Medical Examiner Commission. The Commission oversees the work of all medical examiner’s offices throughout Florida.
Top
Animal Services
In its first two years as a stand alone Department, Animal Services more than doubled pet adoption rates. Homes were found for more than 1,400 dogs and cats in 2007. Another 139 animals were reunited with their owners. Animal Services also had unprecedented success coordinating with outside rescue groups to benefit of sheltered animals.
Top
|
