Beach needs public safety overhaul

Safety and security are the first and most important priorities of city government. Sadly, we are in the midst of a painful and devastating health and economic crisis coupled with a public safety emergency. Over the past weekend, drivers drove in circles at a Miami Beach intersection. This is the latest symptom of an escalating history of mayhem in our city.

This list of criminal offenses continues to grow and now includes roving lawbreakers taking over our streets. City government has blamed bad business operators. It has legal means to close them.

So why is it waiting? Revoke their operating licenses and close them today. In my neighborhood, South of Fifth, we are proud of the excellent quality of our businesses, business operators and the patrons they attract. The conclusion can only be that our public safety issues are rooted in lax enforcement.

Some believe that excessive noise is the primary contributor to our public safety concerns. Let’s enforce the numerous noise ordinances which are already on the books.

We need a consistent police presence in our commercial areas and residential neighborhoods where large numbers of persons are present. This is policing 101. We also need to bring in additional contract officers from around South Florida to free up our overworked police force.

Longer term, we should increase the size of our police force annually until order is restored and we employ sufficient numbers of officers to create a visible and effective community policing environment.

We have been mostly unsuccessful in achieving this community goal.

– Michael “Mike” B.

Barrineau, Miami Beach