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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-83-009816 METROPOLITAN DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA METRODADE Mr. Manuel Alvarez Special Assistant to P. 0. Box 330708 Miami, Florida 33133 Dear Mr. Alvarez: CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE 1903 JAN 27 PM 2: 20 City Manager January 27, 1983 OFFICE OF COUNTY MANAGER COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY 395 N.W. 1st STREET MIAMI, FLORIDA 33128 (305) 579.5600 As a follow-up to your telephone conversation with Isaac A. Withers, Executive Director of the Community Action Agency, I am requesting that Mr. William Johnson, Chairman of the CAA Culmer/Overtown Advisory Committee and I be granted time at the City of Miami Commission meeting on February 10, 1983 to present an interim report "Strategies for Change in Overtown." The Community Action Board members are extremely gratified with the interest, cooperation and participation of community residents and representatives of public and private agencies in working together to develop strategies for change in Overtown. We, therefore, are requesting time to share the results with the City of Miami's Mayor and Commissioners. Sincerely, Colonel Harry Zubkoff, Ch man Community Action Board HZ:ws MEMORANDUM1 107.07- 17 A TO Honorable Mayor and Members City of Miami Commission and City Manager FROM Col. Harry Zubkoff, Chairman Community Action Board William Johnson, Chairman Overtown Advisory Committee DATE February 1, 1983 SUBJECT Interim Report: "Strategies for Change in Overtown" BACKGROUND This is to provide the Mayor and Commissioners with an interim report on the developments in the Overtown Community subsequent to the disturbance of December 28, 1982. The report sets forth: 1. Recommendations for immediate and long term activities entitled "Strategies For Change." 2. Report on workshops. 3. A Chronology of CAA activities. Under the leadership of the Chairman of the Culmer/Overtown Advisory Committee, Mr. William Johnson; Ms. Ann Marie Adker, Community Representative to the Community Action Board; and Ms. Sandra Hall, Youth Representative, a large number of residents and representatives from many agencies, worked to develop "strategies for change" to impact the Culmer/Overtown area. There was intensive dialogue which lead to comprehensive workshops. focusing on: 1. Criminal Justice/Police Community Relations 2.� Jobs/Employment 3. Economic Development 4. Housing 5. Youth Development The results of the workshops are reflected in implemental recommendations entitled "Strategies For Change." The CAA Board members and staff are especially indebted to the Overtown residents and representatives from both public and private 1 agencies for theiinterest, cooperation, participation and input. The many years of CAA's involvement in Overtown and working with other agencies to help the poor have proven invaluable in seeking solutions to the age old problems of the disadvantaged Overtown residents. The CAA Board has conducted bi-monthly meetings in one of the sixteen low-income neighborhoods including Overtown for the past eight years, and the continued outcry by residents in attendance is the need for better police community relations, building code enforcement, decent and safe low-cost housing, and jobs for Overtown residents. These are not new problems, but do require new responses, new approaches, new financial resources and a renewed commitment. for aggressive sustained action by both County and City elected officials and Dade County at large including a method of accountability of the agencies working on needs and deficiencies. OVERTOWN SPEAKS/ACTS At the request of the Culmer/Overtown residents through their Neighborhood -Advisory Committee, the Community Action Board held its January meeting in the County's Culmer/Overtown Neighborhood Service Center. The CAA Board, in cooperation with neighborhood residents, community based organizations, County and City Police, County and City Commissioners and the Mayor of Opa-Locka participated in a three hour workshop designed to take the first step developing "Strategies for Change," in Overtown. The Legal Service Board members and representatives from S.C.L.C., PUSH, Urban League, NAACP, CRB, Miami - Dade Chamber of Commerce who served as panelists acclaimed the 01- rtown meeting their most successful community meeting ever. Attention should be called to one of the immediate positive developments. Youth of Overtown know as "Youth Speaksout," organized a youth group in order to provide the leadership for improving conditions affecting Overtown youth. 2 813- '19 �A STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE Monday, January 17th, more than 250 concerned citizens gathered in the Neighborhood Center to begin a course of action setting realistic attainable short and long range goals and objectives to impact on Housing, Youth Development, Economic Development, Employment, and Criminal Justice/Police/Community Relations. The purpose of the workshop sessions was to provide opportunities for the Culmer/Overtown residents to have meaningful and constructive input into identifying, prioritizing, planning, and implementing strategies, programs, projects, and activities to rehabilitate Overtown and improve the quality of life of Overtown residents. It should be noted that Overtown residents participated in developing workshop contents and in determining the kind of follow up to be provided by CAA. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. INDEPENDENT CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL Pursuant to the CAA's assessment of the success of Metro's Independent Review Panel as reported by Community Action Agency Representatives who serve on the panel, the Community Action Board recommends that the City of Miami take immediate action to utilize Metro's Independent Citizen Review Panel or structure an independent review panel in a similar manner as Metro's Independent Review Panel. 2. OVERTOWN EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM Early detection and treatment of anti -social behavior of youth is the best deterrent to criminal behavior. This approach is being utilized by the Community Action Agency in a proposal developed in cooperation with the Metro Police Department and City of Miami Police Department. This program is intended to provide one important linkage between police and community residents. Therefore, we have established the following objectives for achieving this goal: 1) To establish a communication bridge between Overtown youth and the Police department. 3 83-96 0 0 2) To employ fifteen community youth to serve as liaison between Overtown youth and the Police department. 3) To employ five (5) Early Intervention Aides to assist and follow-up domestic disturbance calls when children and/or juveniles are involved. 4) To intervene and build a caseload of 100 families who have had a first contact with the police before they enter the Criminal Justice System. In order to expedite implementation of this project, we request this Commission to allocate $150,000 for the first twelve months, funding. 3. "PROMISES IN THE SUNSHINE" Two years ago the Community Action Agency initiated a novel publication aimed at establishing accountability for the promises made to the community after the May 1980 disturbance. Published under the banner "Promises In The Sunshine", the publication was designed to monitor the progress of promises, commitments and proposals made to the community. After those tragic days of the civil unrest, many individuals and organizations expressed interest and worked diligently to bring about social and economic reform. The impact of that r publication was that it encouraged individuals and organizations to participate in the rebuilding effort. "Promises In The Sunshine" reported those expressions of interest, actions. The advent of the Reagan Administration led us to believe any promises previously made to the poor were to be ignored and any future plans for advocacy for the poor would have to be considered at "zero budgeting." It is certainly "Good Management" to shift priorities to meet changing needs and crises but discontinuing this document in February, 1982 because of budgetary constraints was a mistake. Sadly it allowed many of us to return to business as usual thus setting aside the serious unresolved ills which continued to plague our Black community. As of this date, the Community Action Board will 4 83--9S, reinstitute this all-important quarterly document that clearl monitors what the City of Miami does to improve the plight of the residents in the political jurisdiction of the City of Miami by establishing clear accountability for promises made. CONCLUSION It is evident by recent action by Mayor Ferre and members of the City Commission as well as Mayor Clark and members of the County Commission and other private interests that they share common goals to improve the quality of life in Dade County's depressed areas. This can only be accomplished through a "Team Process" insuring that the man on the street (grassroots), the unemployed, and other community interests of all groups have an opportunity to initiate if possible and certainly impact decisions intended to improve their well-being. Therefore, in behalf of the City of Miami's 85,329 poor people, the CAA Board urges this Commission to take action immediately that will begin a process to identify and earmark financial resources to sustain an aggressive program for improving the quality of life in our low-income neighborhoods and establish a fail safe method for accountability. At the conclusion of the planning period (6 months) we will provide the City Manager with a plan that will include definitive goals and objectives that are attainable- to begin the long range task of revitalizing the City of Miami's depressed areas. 5 83-96 1 WORKSHOP CONTENTS JANUARY 179 1983 JOBS/EMPLOYMENT FACILITATORS: William Oliver and William Johnson OBJECTIVE The objective of this workshop is to review the objectives relating to jobs as established by the Culmer/Overtown residents during their last year's planning process, and to develop strategies for employability training and job development which will substantially lessen unemployment in the Culmer/Overtown community. EXPECTED RESULTS To produce specific objectives that will result in improved job opportunities for Overtown residents both short and long range. ACTUAL RESULTS -RECOMMENDATIONS Monitor selection of representatives to the Private Industry Council. Advocate aggressively for hiring of Blacks by Black and non -Black contractors. Insure that quality vocational training opportunities are accessible to disadvantaged youth or insure that reliable transportation is available. Improve methods of communicating information regarding available jobs and employment training opportunities. Schedule follow-up workshop immediately for full day. 83-96. �� r1 0 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FACILITATORS: Brenda Rivers and Charles Johnson OBJECTIVE The objective of the Economic Development workshop is to review, delete, change, and/or modify the goals established last year by community residents to improve the economic development opportunities and activities in the Culmer/Overtown area. This will include the review of both 9th year plans of the Office of Community and Economic Development of the County and/or City, and other public and private agencies having such responsibility in this area. EXPECTED RESULTS To identify specific strategies that will enable the Advisory Committee and other participating organizations to aggressively pursue action that will expedite implementing new, proposed or existing plans and projects for the area. ACTUAL RESULTS -RECOMMENDATIONS Support the immediate completion of the Culmer/Overtown shopping center. Make more effective use of governmental funds to stimulate the private sector's involvement in revitalizing the area. Advocate effectively for jobs for Blacks in large corporations. - Pool financial resources of businesses to create more resources for Blacks; support each other. - Create more job opportunities for youth. - Coordinate and distribute economic development information. - Schedule additional workshops in order to fully develop strategies for economic change. 83-96 HOUSING k FACILITATORS: James Fayson and Rev. Kenneth Turner OBJECTIVES To insure the establishment of a Housing Sub -committee that will address housing issues through community forums, workshops, and seminars, obtain membership on housing advisory boards and committees during this program year. To support the efforts of the Culmer Today Coalition, Inc., to rehabilitate twelve (12) units of housing in the Culmer/Overtown target area during the period May, 1982 through April, 1983. EXPECTED RESULTS To provide the Community Action Board with clearly defined strategies fQr change that they and the residents of this community can pursue in bringing about immediate results regarding the condition of housing in the Culmer/Overtown area. ACTUAL RESULTS -RECOMMENDATIONS Hold all day workshop on housing issues and provide follow- up. Increase tenant education opportunities. Increase size of Housing code enforcement staff. Advocate for relocation payments for persons being displaced by School Board action. Remodel school facilities in the Overtown area. 8 83-9E-' 0 0 CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS FACILITATORS: John Gibson and Anna Marie Adker OBJECTIVE The objective of this workshop is to review, change, and/or modify goals and objectives developed by the community residents last year during the planning process to improve the criminal justice system and community police relations affecting the Overtown residents. To establish and coordinate linkages between low income residents and Criminal Justice agencies through the following projects: 1) Establishment of Crimewatch Committees. 2) Sponsorship of Crime prevention, self defense and/or police relation workshops/seminars. 3) Participation in criminal justice programs. 4) Participation in Police Ridership program. EXPECTED RESULTS ' To provide the Community Action Board and other appropriate decision -making bodies with specific recommendations to effect an immediate and positive change in the criminal justice system and police community relations affecting the Culmer/Overtown neighborhood. ACTUAL RESULTS -RECOMMENDATIONS Prepare a resolution to be presented to City officials stating that the residents of Culmer/Overtown would like to receive fair and equal treatment from the police department 9 83-9S' The need for greater visibility of the police in the community on regular patrol rather than just during crisis situations. The need to establish a monitoring group to oversee all aspects of criminal justice in Culmer/Overtown. The need to set aside the City of Miami's proposed plan to allocate $500,000 for police sensitivity training and further that the funds be made available for a joint police community relations training program. The need for the City to implement a special college recruitment program to attract black college students. Irk 0 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FACILITATORS: Comm. Barbara Carey and Officer Herma Justice n,n Tnnmr��n To review, change, and/or modify goals and objectives as established by this community during its planning process last year that will provide greater opportunities and immediate change to improve the quality of life for Culmer/Overtown youth. To provide financial assistance to low income college bound students from the Culmer/Overtown target area. To study the problem of youth unemployment in order to develop alternatives to federally funded projects that will provide a year- round employment program for this group. EXPECTED RESULTS To provide the Community Action Board and other decision -making bodies with recommendations for action that can be taken immediately 11 for both short and long range activities, programs, and projects, k that will improve the quality of life for the youth in this community. ACTUAL RESULTS -RECOMMENDATIONS Provide youth leadership training opportunities. Develop Tacolcy type program in Overtown. Improve/provide better organization of park activities. Conduct follow-up planning meetings immediately. 83-9E' COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY ACTIVITIES CULMER/OVERTOWN AREA JANUARY 1983 JANUARY 4, 1983: Culmer Advisory Committee Members of the Advisory Committee invited Major Perry Anderson and Lt. Caberria to discuss the police role during the civil disturbance in December, 1982. JANUARY 69 1983 "YOUTH SPEAK OUT" -• Special Called Meeting The Youth of Culmer/Overtown spoke out about the disturbance in the area. JANUARY 119 1983 Staff member attended the Overtown Sub -council Crime Prevention meeting. Plans were made to organize block groups for crime prevention. JANUARY 12, 1983 As a result of the "Youth Speak Out" meeting, a group of youth held a follow-up meeting to present a proposal for youth to organize in order to provide a forum and a mechanism for addressing and seeking solutions to youg peoples problems. JANUARY 13, 1983 The Culmer/Overtown Advisory Executive Committee met to review and discuss the proposal for youth involvement in crime prevention in the Overtown area. The proposed Overtown Early Intervention Project was approved by the group (Intervening early to prevent families entering the Criminal Justice System). JANUARY 17, 1983 Facilitators held a planning meeting for the Community Action Board's Workshop. JANUARY 17, 1983 Community Action Board held a community workshop, "Strategies for Change" establishment of Community Priorities for 1983. There were five separate group sessions: Jobs/Employment, Economic Development, Housing, Criminal Justice -Police Community Relations, and Youth Development. (SEE ATTACHMENT) 12 l JANUARY 29, 1983 Follow-up work sessions will continue through the end of February. MARCH 309 1983 Final report to Commission on "Strategies For Change" in Overtown. 13 83--98'