HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-88-0470MfQ1N - 1 Z-9S THU q t 2S POL t rE , r_.H i EF
May 3, 1960
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Honorable Mayor Xavier Suarez
The City of Miami
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida :13133
Clear Mayor Suarez;
On April 15, 1988, T had the honor of representing the City
of Miami in the Fourth Annual Police Charity Stock Car Race Wand
Demolition Derby. As one of many Miami Police Officers who
participated in this event, T volunteered to drive in the Police
Shield Race. This event consisted of various police departments
racing against one another in surplus or vehicles made up as
replicas of their respective department's police cars.
Unfortunately, as the attached press article indicates, the Metro
Dade Police Department triumphed once again against the City of
Miami.
It disturbs me that the Miami Police Department did not get
the support from the City that other departments enjoyed. In
order for us to compete.in this event it was necessary to obtain
a Junk vehicle from Molina Towing and rebuild it to resemble a
Miami police car. Dade County and the Highway Patrol, to mention
a few, race cars were prepared b.y their fleet management
divisions. Many other smaller departments received considerable
support from their respective city administration in the
preparation and/or acquisition of their race cars. However, the
City Manager, Mr. Odio, did assist with providing us with a
light -bar, siren, end markings for our car.
The Charity Demo -Derby and Stock Race was started four years
ago by City of Miami Police Officers. This event has become so
successful that the University of Miami School of Medicine
recognized it as the most innovative charitable events in 1987•.,
Since that time the Police Charity Demo -Derby and Stock Car Race
has grown to a county -wide event. We must now not only compete
against one another but every other police department in Dade
County. Not unlike the Pig Bowl, this event is quickly becoming
another highly visible contest between the City and Metro police
departments.
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T am reyuvsting that you and the Commission consider
supporting the Miami Police Department in this event by making
available a surplus police vehicle so we can start preparing for
next years event. An adequate surplus vehicle with sufficient
time and resources to properly prepare it would allow the City to .
effectively compete against the County. This is a very worthwhile
avent both in terms of its charitable purpose and for the pride
of the Miami Police Department. The support of you And the
Commission will he the key to our success.
I would greatly appreciate the support of your office, and
the Commission in obtaining the following;
1. the donation of a surplus police vehicle to "All Police
Charities4," n non-profit, charitable organization,
2. providing the police markings for the vehicle at City
exponie.
3. donating a surplus light -bar and siren, and
4. allowing me and other City employees to work on the car,
on City property, on our off -duty time.
A considerable amount of my own money will be invested in
the preparation of this vehicle even with heap from the City.
However, without your help there is no way we can compete against
the resources of Dade County government. I promise you that you
will be proud of our joint efforts.
Sincerely,.
Rodney So re
Captain of Police
Miami Police Department
8942 S.W. 149 Place
Miami, Florida 33196
Attachment
cc: Commissioner Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner Victor DeYurre
Commissioner J. Plummer
Commissioner Rosario Kennedy
Mr. Cesar H. Odio, City Manager
Clarence Dickson, Chief of Police
Officer Wm. Clayton, All Police Charities
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Keith Joy gets ready to zoom in the police stock car race benefit Friday.
Metro -Dade cops triumph
By ANGELA YOUNGBLOOD
Nerdd writer
The Metro -Dade Police Department
proved superior on the race track as
the department won six of nine events
in the annual police stock car race at
the Hialeah Speedway Friday.
" I thought it was a fair represents•
tion of all police departments," said
Lae1 Schumacher. Metro -Dade detec•
tive and president of the All Police
Charitles that sponsored the race. "We
didn't take all of It."
Just most of It: Metro detective
William Pryor won the shield's race,
detective Tom Helms won the. stock
car feature race. Sgt. Mike Taberraro
won a qualifying heat for the stock car
race. and Metro officer Doug Martin
won both street stock races, but was
allowed to claim onlX one first.
according to the meets rules. The
chief's race was won by Metro Deputy
Director Eduardo Gonzalez.
"I was really surprised that Chief
Gonzalez won," said Schumacher. "1
had my bets going on the Florida
Highway Patrol. The state's always
Although. Metro -Dade
police won most of the
prizes, the Sunrise
Community for the
Retarded was also a
winner. The races
brought in $35,OW for the
home.
been known to have big, fast :ars."
Medley Sgt. Tom Kadar and Home-
stead detective Shawn Sinclair each
won a stock car qualifying heat. Miami
officer David Sanchez won the demotl-
tlon derby. Miami Sgt. Ed Westpy.
who finished second behind Martin In
both street stock races, was awarded a
win In one.
North Miami Beach officer Don
Reynolds, who boasted before the race
that he had the winning car, won one
stock car qualifying' heat. F
second In the features race and th
,the shield's race.
"I teach driving at the 1
academy, said Reynolds. "I kne,
didn't do well, I couldn't go bac
The All Police Charities r
$35,000 for the children at St,
Community for the Retarded. :
SW 162nd Ave. The money w!
used to Purchase two vans.
"We have some vans that
140.000 or 150,000 miles on tl
said Sunrise public relations cool
-tor Michael Hart. "Hopefully, w
retire one of them."
Twenty-three police depart:
participated in the races. This yea
the first time North Bay Village !
participated. It entered two race
came in last both times.
"I had a car that didn't havi
power," said detective Bill N,
who said he wasn't quite prepare
the fierce competition.
"Wait until next year. We'll be
and we'll extract vengeance." he
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