Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Tony announces party crackdown
Gun violence has been a problem with a number of gatherings
House parties that are being held despite the coronavirus crisis are being targeted by the Broward County Sheriff ’s Office due to an uptick in gun violence at the events.
The announcement by Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony on Friday came after four separate shootings last weekend that left seven injured and three dead.
“We see the connectivity to where, at the end of these events, shootings are occurring,” Tony said. “Even homicides.”
There have been more than 1,100 calls about house parties in Broward since March, many of which are organized through social media.
Deputies are monitoring social media to target locations of parties and shut them down in order to reduce the potential for violence, the sheriff said.
In addition, two violent crime suppression teams and other detectives are going to crack down on boisterous house parties and what’s referred to as “rolling car shows,” where the parties are mobile to avoid being spotted by law enforcement.
The operation will focus on District Five, a central area of unincorporated Broward County, Tony said.
The sheriff said violators could face fines and possible arrest.
“There will be no warnings. We’ll enforce the laws. We’ll hold people accountable,” he said. This isn’t just a matter of statistical data that’s driving us out here. This is a call out from the community.”
Broward County issued an order that took effect last Friday, restricting the occupancy of vacation rental properties solely to the people who rented them. The order was passed, because the rentals are being used to host parties.
Broward dispatchers received more than 170 calls about parties and gatherings that were too large or loud, from July 1 to July 6. The sheriff’s office responded to 13 calls about large, loud, parties or gatherings
on July Fourth. Police records show officers responded to complaints about pool parties with more than 20 people, “large” parties where DJs set off fireworks, and large gatherings of 10 to 15 people setting off fireworks in the street, according to a review of police records. No one was arrested. Records for the other 157 complaints made between July 1 and July 6 were not immediately available.
The city of Miami shut down seven venues and parties over the July Fourth holiday weekend for not following social-distancing ordinances.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has publicly singled out partygoers for accelerating the spread of COVID-19. “We saw a rapid rise in young people … being positive to
COVID-19 around midJune,” he told CBS’ “Face The Nation.” “I think that that had a lot to do with probably socializing, young kids going to parties, maybe graduation parties at homes, because it’s been pretty locked down here for some time.”
Emergency orders currently in effect for South Florida require social distancing and public gatherings no larger than 10 people.
Tony urged residents to call the Broward Sheriff’s non-emergency helpline at 954-764-4357 to report unlawful or unusual activity in their neighborhoods, and to call 911 in an emergency.