The Miami Beach Police Department invites you to our Bi-Monthly Community Police meeting. The special topic of discussion this month will be the post arrest process and our court system. Assistant State Attorney Melia Arnett will be presenting and answering questions from the community. This is a great opportunity for North Beach residents to learn more about what the police are doing in their neighborhoods. Residents are encourage to participate and bring up concerns they wish to discuss with the police.

When:  Thursday June 3rd, 2010

Where:  Normandy Park – 7030 Trouville Esplanade

Time:  6:30 P.M.

For additional information, please contact Julio Blanco at: julioblanco@miamibeachfl.gov

Beginning on Monday, April12 and for the rest of the work-week (through Friday, April 19) the  crew will begin preparations to put down the final lift of asphalt on South Shore Drive between Ray Street and North Shore Drive.

From April 12 to April 19, there will be NO PARKING AVAILABLE on South Shore Drive from the eastern intersection of North Shore Drive up to the intersection of Ray Street and North Shore Drive.

Please be advised that NO PARKING signs have been posted by the City’s parking enforcement and if your vehicle is parked in this area during the dates above it will be towed at vehicle owner’s expense.

All vehicles parked along this area must be moved no later than 7:00am on Monday, April 12.

Alternate parking will be diverted to North Shore Drive between South Shore Drive and Fairway Drive in front of the park. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Courtesy of Shari Lipner of City of Miami Beach’s CIP Department

For Additional Information, please contact:

OFFICE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Shari Lipner
Tel: 305-673-7071  / Fax: 305-673-7073
ShariLipner@miamibeachfl.gov
www.miamibeachfl.gov

North Beach News sponsors free yoga on Mondays and Fridays at 7AM behind the North Beach Band Shell. Instructors in Skanda Yoga lead the 60-minute classes on the sandy area next to volleyball nets.

Stretch your body and breathe in the balmy sea air as the sun rises over the ocean, a privilege in the winter months when the rest of the country is shivering.

The Friday class began in June 2009 and has attracted a dedicated group of regulars from around the neighborhood along with other locals as well as out-of-town visitors. Given the popularity of the Friday class, the Monday class was added in November of last year.

Street parking is plentiful and free at that hour along Ocean Terrace or in the lot on the other side of Collins, between 72^nd and 73^rd Streets. Bicycle racks are also available near the shower area next to the beach walk.

The class is adapted for the sandy conditions and all levels of practice are welcome to attend. No mats are necessary but the instructors recommend bringing a large beach towel or blanket.

In case of rain, classes are canceled.  You can visit our calendar of events to stay updated on the class schedule throughout the year.

When: Mondays and Fridays, 7:00 AM
Where: Bandshell Park 73rd and Collins Ave

Over the past few months we have seen an increase in gang related activity in North Beach. Its important for concerned residents to stay informed and exchange information and concerns with our local police. There will also be a  special guest speaker from the State Attorney’s Office to answer questions from residents.

In addition, many residents may have read the article in the Neighbors section of the Miami Herald (click here to read article) that discussed how members of Miami Beach Police Union will not work off-duty detail due to a contract dispute.  A recent email  was also sent out by the Police Union to area residents (click here to read email). Learn more on how this may affect you at this meeting.

When: Thursday February 4th 2010
Where: Normandy Park & Pool, 7030 Trouville Esplanade
Time: 6:00 P.M.  Miami Dade SAO , 6:30 P.M.  Citizen-Police Meeting

Aggravated Battery on Police Officer

INCIDENT: Felony Arrest / Aggravated Battery – North District
INCIDENT:Aggravated Battery on LEO w/ motor vehicle                 
DATE:01-16-10, TIME:0313 hours                                                              
CASE NUMBER:2010-5349        
LOCATION:Marseilles / Calais      
LEAD OFFICER:Officer Vera      

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: Officer Vera was flagged down by a young lady who advised him that she had just been approached by a vehicle with multiple occupants. One of the male occupants stated that they were looking for the “71st street Jack Boyz” (Gang). As the young lady denied any knowledge of the gang, she spotted Officer Vera.

The occupants of the vehicle also spotted Officer Vera and began to flee.

As Officer Vera gathered then disseminated information for a B.O.L.O., Officer Romero responded to the area. As he entered into the intersection of Marseilles and Calais, the fleeing vehicle ran the stop sign, striking Officer Romero’s marked police vehicle on the left side. After the impact, the subjects attempted to flee the scene in the car, but one of the wheels collapsed, thereby disabling the vehicle. All subjects were taken into custody. Two were arrested and the remaining two were documented via a field interview card.

The additional charges for the driver included D.U.I., possession of a Taser, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving with License Suspended. The Gang Unit was contacted and copies of all paperwork will be forwarded to them. No Officer was injured as a result of the traffic crash.

SUBJECT(S): Multiple

CHARGE(S):Aggravated Battery w/ Motor Vehicle

Burglary Arrest North Shore Neighborhood

INCIDENT: Burglary (Occupied)           
DATE: 01/16/10, TIME:1542 Hrs.                  
CASE NUMBER: 10-5534
LOCATION: 7720 Tatum Waterway
LEAD OFFICER: Officer Azicri

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: The victim stated that she was down stairs in front of her building talking to her neighbors when she was approached by another neighbor who stated that there were two white males breaking into the rear door of her apartment.  The victim ran up stairs to her apartment and discovered two subjects in her bedroom.   The victim began to call 911 and the two subjects pushed past her and fled northbound on Tatum Waterway. A BOLO was broadcast via police radio.  Officer Reid and Officer Azicri responded to the scene and began to canvass the area. Officers observed a subject matching the BOLO description in the 7800 block of Tatum Waterway. Upon seeing the officers the subject fled.  The Officers gave chase and were able to apprehend the subject.  At the time of this writing Detective Tepperberg and both Officers were in the process of identifying and locating the second subject.  
  
SUBJECT(S):  #1 Diego Molina W/H/M, #2 Arrest Pending
CHARGE(S):  Occupied Burglary

The contractor, Unitech, has generously offered to do driveway paving for residents at a reduced rate, directly after completion of ROW construction. Unitech will be able to pave driveways in either asphalt or poured concrete. If you are interested in having this work done, please contact the contractor, Jose Yanes, via email at: joe@unitechbuilders.com to arrange a quote.

Unitech will be available to do driveway paving very soon. The Normandy Shores ROW Construction (Street, Irrigation, and Landscaping) is nearing completion. The last critical drainage structure has been successfully installed.

The last piece of the ROW work is the final paving of our streets. Once paving begins, it will proceed rapidly. Upon completion of paving, the ROW work will be complete. As with any construction job, the contractor will resolve minor punch list items such as chips in valley gutters, dead trees, and so forth at the very end of the project.

It is impossible to say with any precision what day or week the ROW project will reach completion. However, that day is drawing very, very near. In addition, Club House construction is running well ahead of schedule at the moment. It’s current completion date is on the books as mid-August 2010, or one year from breaking ground.

Best,

Erik Schlein
President, NSHOA

North Shore / South Shore Intersection:
Crews have finally completed the installations of drainage structures and connecting pipes at this intersection and have begun the above-ground improvements. This includes the installation of a new sidewalk on the west side of the bridge, finishing the median and the installation of the pavers in the intersection.  Because this work includes tearing up part of the street, the Bridge at Bay Drive East and North Shore Drive will be closed until November 20. Vehicular traffic will be re-routed to the bridge at Biarritz Drive. Pedestrian Traffic may be allowed as long as there is no threat to safety, so please be aware that there may be intermittent closed access for those traveling on foot. If you are walking, please look for a crew member in a bright green t-shirt or vest and ask for assistance (do not walk into the work zone, please).

Fairway Drive Swale:
The retention swale along Fairway Drive is currently filled with water because the contractor is redeveloping some of the drainage wells, including the well at the street end of Fairway Drive (next to the Avanti Town homes). Once the work is completed, the water will recede. This is not the typical situation for this swale, and is a by-product of the current activity. We anticipate this work to continue for at least 10 more working days. The City has taken measures to mitigate mosquito hatching. The cooler weather works in our favor as well.

Dead Trees:
The City has identified trees throughout the neighborhood that did not survive the transplant. Contractually, the City will not close out the project unless the trees are replaced. All the trees planted as part of this project are under a warranty for one year after the project is declared substantially complete (unless there is evidence that any of the trees have been tampered-with).

As always, we appreciate your patience.

Please note: any inquiries or concerns about this project are to be directed to the Project Coordinator, Aurelio Carmenates or the Construction Manager, Olga Sanchez. Both can be located through the Capital Improvement Projects Office at 305-673-7071. Olga Sanchez is on-site each and every work day.

To reach Shari Holbert Lipner, the best means of communication is via email.  sharilipner@miamibeachfl.gov

The following information is brought to you by officer Julio Blanco, Neighborhood Resource Office for the North District.  It shows the importance of reporting suspicious activity in your neighborhood and teh dedication and responsiveness of our police department.

This is the result of quickly calling suspicious vehicles and person in to Police.  Great case of a neighbor doing the right thing!

INCIDENT: Burglary (Unoccupied) North District
DATE: 09/25/09
TIME: 2355hrs
CASE NUMBER: 2009-109153
LOCATION: 400 block South Shore Drive
LEAD OFFICER: Officer C. Cuellar
LEAD DETECTIVE: Detective Alsina/Cubides
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:  Officers of the North District were dispatched to a Burglary in progress. A witness was reporting that three males were loading items into a red Jeep SUV. Subjects fled the area and a bolo was issued. Officers spotted the vehicle and conducted a felony stop in on the 100 block of North Shore Drive. The subjects were taken into custody without incident. The witness responded to the scene of the stop and identified the vehicle as the “get-a-way” car. Further investigation revealed that the items taken in the Burglary were 4 flat panel televisions which were subsequently found in the red Jeep. CSI responded along with Detectives Cubides and Alsina.   The subjects were ARMED at the time of the stop. Officers involved in the arrest: Cuellar, Castillo, Iadaresta, forte, Alba, Horton, Mercier, Llaneras.
SUBJECT(S):
#1 Dontrell Tharpe  B/M  01/31/89
#2 Andrew Phillip Pennerman  B/M  10/15/87
#3 Antwon J. Holmes  B/M  11/07/1988
CHARGE(S):    Armed Burglary/Theft (Over)/CCW

Community Affairs Unit Neighborhood Advisory

North District Burglaries

Two residential burglaries have been identified in the area of the 1400 block of Normandy (Normandy Nord H.O.A area) and the 1700 Block of Day Drive (Normandy SUD H.O.A).

The burglaries occurred during daytime hours.

Don’t become a victim of crime, remember to:

1. Remain vigilant, and utilize proven crime prevention practices, such as securing your home with quality door and window locks.
2. Do not leave windows or doors unlocked.  Use pins on sliding doors and windows.
3. Make it a habit to activate the alarm whenever you are away, no mater how soon you plan on returning.  Alarms work when used properly.
4. Trim overgrown foliage that may obscure your home. A home that is obscured, removes the fear of the burglar of being seen by neighbors, police patrols, and passing motorists.
5. If leaving on vacation or for an extended period of time, call MBPD for a police watch order, so Officers can periodically check the property.  This is a free service.  The number to call is 305-673-7933 (patrol division).
6. Use proper exterior lighting.  Lighting is the #1 deterrent of crime.
7. And as always, if any suspicious activity is observed in your neighborhood, please call the Miami Beach Police Department at 305-673-7901 or 911.

Marked Police Patrols as well as undercover Detectives have increased their presence in the area.

Your Miami Beach Police, Patrol Officers and Detectives are working hard to solve these crimes and keep your neighborhood safe.  But we need your help. Only by working together can we all truly enjoy this wonderful city.