Our Streets
Downtown Beat Officers a Reality
Miami Police interim Chief Manny Morales and the Commander for Downtown, Antonio Regueira, made the program happen.
Statistics might show that violent crime is almost nonexistent, but the perception of unsafe streets affects downtown’s quality of life and hurts businesses. “If we don’t feel safe, then we are not going out and patronize local restaurants. If a restaurant closes, that is a direct hit to the residents’ quality of life. If a resident is harassed by aggressive panhandling, then Downtown’s quality of life is diminished,” said James Torres, DNA President.
On February 4, 2022, we met at the Miami Police Department headquarters with interim Chief Manny Morales, Commander Antonio Regueira and a group of Downtowners representing various enclaves within the Downtown proper — north of the Miami River to the Arts and Entertainment District, and from Biscayne Boulevard westwards to the evolving Western Downtown.
The central point of the conversation was a time-proven policing practice, to have uniformed officers patrolling our streets to instill in the community a sense of confidence and safety. Many might see the beat cop program as a public relations ploy, but serious research by universities like John Jay College of Criminal Justice show that the presence of police officers walking the streets deter crime drastically and improves the relationship between police and community. Tel Aviv University economist Sarit Weisburd used data from the Dallas Police Department to demonstrate that Cops on the beat unquestionably drive down crime.
Polling residents and business
It is apparent that while in other parts of the country Police Departments are attacked and repudiated, Downtown Miami residents and businesses welcome their presence, which clearly indicates law enforcement is respected. “A society without a well-equipped and trained police force flirts with anarchy. And Downtown is the Capital of Miami, the epicenter of finance, technology, health, higher education, tourism, culture and entertainment,” said a Central Business District resident. “A perception of safe streets is essential.”
Another long-time resident of the CBD, Jorge Sanchez, observed that he had witnessed patrol cars going by the First Avenue Metro mover station. Petty criminals see them come and hide behind columns, becoming invisible for the officers patrolling, but the minute they drive away, it’s back to business.
Commander Regueira reiterated the importance of community involvement, that residents are an integral component. They are the eyes of their neighborhood. That is why it’s so important to report by calling, texting, or emailing his office to document what is going on. One way the MPD allocates resources is based on statistics. If residents don’t get involved, do not take a moment to make that call, it’s hard to document the need to allocate resources.
Jessica Boudreaux, a Park West resident, observed: “One of my takeaways from the meeting is to remind neighbors in our community of the importance of taking the time to communicate with police officers. We’ve all heard the line “see something, say something”, but how many of us see a crime and call the police vs pick up our phones to record it or simply drive by? The police department is a service we pay for and in order for them to have an accurate record of what happens in our community we have to relay issues to them. In my experience they do respond and have usually done so quickly.”
Max Moore, representing the emerging Miami World Center Area, speaking of statistics, brought up the vertical nature of Downtown, that we have more residents than larger horizontal areas. To be exact, added DNA’s James Torres, Downtown accounts for 52 thousand residents. Insisted Moore: “How does coverage correlate with the amount of people living in the area? How does it compare to the size of the area and the amount of people living in the area?”
Chief Morales: We have a robust Downtown presence. Downtown has more beat officers assigned compared to other NET areas. Eleven beat officers. The only one that comes closer is Wynwood and any given night fifty thousand people are walking along NW Second Avenue. But as far as the concentration of people you guys have the most, and the most beat officers assigned. Eleven, plus command, resource and undercover officers, we have some fifty officers for Downtown. But I don’t sit here and pick and choose based on population alone. Decisions are based on needs; based on calls for service.
That is how violent crime has been maintained at record lows. In effect, said the commander, the highest incidence of violent crime is domestic violence. The three main reasons Downtown residents call the police are homeless individuals trespassing, petty crime, breaking into buildings’ garages to steal bikes, loud noise, and domestic violence.
Downtown Beat Officers
Commander Regueira corroborated the Chief’s assertion and specified that beat officers are assigned to different areas within Downtown. Biscayne Boulevard is very important; the southeast area around Whole Foods, where various residential towers are located, and we have some traffic issues. We have one officer assigned to Flagler Street. (Some residents consider assigning an officer to Flagler Street unnecessary as Flagler — the past and future main artery is presently a war zone nobody visits, except for the corner where the Dupont Building stands, with its Lost Boy neighborhood bar, and decaying Olympia Theater, an architectural gem now repurposed as an immersive art venue.) “And we have the Arts and Entertainment area. Our night life area, we want to have a presence there. And we have the after-midnight component.”
Downtown News: Commander, would you agree that one of the denser spots is within NE Second Avenue and NE Second Street, Biscayne Boulevard and Flagler, an area that has thousands of residents concentrated in four buildings, the LOFT 2, two towers of the Vizcayne Condos, and 50 Biscayne, plus other smaller residential buildings like the Congress and the Olympia, and dozens if not hundreds of small businesses?
Commander Regueira agreed.
Downtown News: As the residents of this area have requested, would a beat officer be beneficial?
Commander Regueira: Yes.
Definition of Beat Cop
The genetic definition by Urban Dictionary: “A police officer who walks, rides, cycles, or drives in a specific neighborhood, known as a beat. Because the officer routinely patrols in the same area, he or she becomes well-known in the community, creating a positive relationship between law enforcement and the community. Neighborhood residents will usually feel comfortable approaching the beat cop to talk about issues in the community and be more inclined to report problems when they feel like they have a personal connection with the department.”
Chief Morales: Beat officers are specifically assigned to handle a geographical area like neighborhood resource officers. They become the right hand of the Commander, they follow up on issues, and problems. These police officers are more specific, aware, cognizant of a smaller area. We assign a beat officer based not only on statistics, but the observations of the commander, and the input of the community.
Downtown News: Does that mean that Downtown will have its beat officers, starting with what we might call it a pilot program in the area discussed? Can I write that this will happen, and have a specific date?
Chief Morales: Yes!
Of course, the COVID Pandemic has affected many institutions, notably those professionals who are on the frontline. Police officers do not have the luxury, the alternative might be a better word, to work remotely. Hence, not few officers have been infected, a fact that results in shortages. But where there is a will there is a way.
Easier said than done — not always
Interim Chief Morales, despite his deep voice and imposing presence, is quite personable. Commander Regueira is soft spoken, but emphatic. Both, however, share one characteristic that is essential for anyone in a position of power. They both have integrity.
Integrity can be a buzz word with many definitions. My definition is simple: Keeping one’s word. And that is exactly what Chief Morales and Commander Regueira did, they went from talking to action in record time (Miami is known to red tape you to death.).
On Saturday February 12, Downtown News received a text from Commander Regueira. Having spoken with the Chief, he wrote, the program will start now.
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