Chief Robert Daniels Addressing Crime in North Bay Village

Thursday December 27, 2012 at 5:00 pm North Bay Village Police Chief Daniels held a town hall meeting. Recent crimes in North Bay Village prompted Chief Daniels to arrange for this meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss ways to prevent and or deter neighborhood crime. Concerns residents filled the City Hall Meeting Chambers totaling over forty.

The Chief and members of his staff discussed ways to make your home more secure. Things like professionally installed door lock bolts and securing sliding doors with simple homemade ideas.  Lighting, motion detectors, cameras, fencing, dogs and professionally installed alarms according to affordability were part of Chief’s Daniels presentation. Personal properties such as televisions, jewelry and other tangibles whenever possible should have a marking or an identifier that can be identified if recovered.

Many of these items are covered by the National Neighborhood Watch Program Home Security Inspection Checklist handouts available at the meeting. For further information you may call: North Bay Village Police Investigative Unit 305-758-2626. Remember to lock your cars, doors and windows.

Chief Daniels expressed his support for a Resident Neighborhood Watch Program for North Bay Village. Mr. Kevin Vericker asked the Chief: “what had happened to said program that was already in existence” back in 2009? The Chief explained that when he started his position the program had already been disbanded.   Chief Daniels told Mr. Vericker that he was committed to the Residents Neighborhood Watch Program provided sufficient volunteers stepped forward.    The Chief envision specialized patrol cars for trained neighborhood watch members that would help keep an eye on the village. Block Captains and lines of communication would be established for the neighborhood watch program.  The Chief encouraged everyone to call the NBVPD at 305-758-2626 if they see or hear anything of concern.

One resident pointed out that 5pm time start for the meeting excluded many from attending. The Chief explained that subsequent meetings would be held at 7pm or 7:30pm for easier accessibility. While another resident express his concern regarding safety and security for our Elementary School.

A concern resident asked: “these are the things we can do, but what is the police department doing?” The Chief informed everyone in the meeting that it was possible to implement a new auto tag identifier technology. The technology could be incorporated into the red light cameras already in place. Said technology can alert the police department of auto tags entering the area that are been sought out for various criminal reasons. 

Another resident was concern regarding the recent reduction of our patrol due to budgetary reasons. The Chief expressed concern as well but stated that safety and security can be accomplished in a united effort.  

Many things can be accomplished to keep North Bay Village safe and secure when the residents and the police department work together. Please attend the next meeting and see how you can help. Meanwhile if you see or hear anything suspicious call North Bay Village Police Department 305-758-2626.

 

“Putting North Bay Village First”

Stay Alert report suspicious activity by calling 911 or call NBVPD 305-758-2626

 

Mario Garcia

 

December 27, 2012