Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-80-02971 1 j • r!`iiC�•J�f=lL'1 .'"'Lti•l�li�r'�rl�l[iU.1 • J . , 11. I 1 1 i • CI '• Angela R. Bellamy APR 18 1980 L I A 2-2 Asst. to City Manager F,Rom I Kenneth I. Harms Chief of Police -ud Mr. Woodnick's Presenta- tion to City Commission RLFERENCE:S •:NCLOt;UNl G Under the Comprehensive Crime Prevention Project, citizen groups were formed in nine area communities within the City. The groups were formed to work with the police on area police related prob- lems and concerns. Mr. Woodnick helped form and was elected Chairman of the Little River area community group. Mr. Woodnick and other area residents are extremely concerned with the prostitution and pornography problem that is plaguing the Little River area. The group is not displeased with the Police Department or the City government's response, but feels additional measures are necessary. The perceived lack of appro- priate judicial response to the cases presented under the City's prostitution and pornography ordinances, has led them to believe that additional enforcement tools and avenues of approach may bring about better results. Mr. Woodnick's recommendations are: I. Pursue pornograph convictions in Civil Court within the parameters of the public nuisance statute - the designa- tion of a business as a public nuisance because of previous criminal conviction and its subsequent closing would require a legal opinion as to its feasibility. 2. Hire an attorney specialized in this area of law to develop cases against the nine businesses - the presenta- tion of the Civil cases would probably not require an attorney with special qualifications, only the assign- ment of an Assistant City Attorney. 3. Have the attorney work with the Special Investigation Section (S.I.S.) Officers - S.I.S. has the criminal case file information on all the businesses and could contribute first-hand background information. 80-297 Angela R. Bellamy SUBJECT: Mr. Woodnick's Presenta- Asst. to City Manager tion to City Commission Page 2 4. Have an attorney re -write and improve existing pornography laws - the existing pornography statutes and ordinances have sufficient enforcement provisions. Mr. Woodnick is probably referring to mandatory sentencing provisions to be added to the existing ordinance. S. An attorney to develop and write a law with a substantial fine, applicable to owners who knowingly rent houses, etc., for the use of prostitution - S.I.S. has been working with the State Hotel and Restaurant Commission on the revocation of licenses where cases are developed. An ordinance against owners of places used for prostitution would be difficult to enforce because of proving personal knowledge. Mr. Woodnick is trying to improve the quality of life in this commu- nity and is very sincere in his efforts to bring about the necessary changes. KIH:gp 15 r or, COMPREHENSIVE CRIME PREVENTION Northeast Area Sub -Council P.O. Box 381362 / Miami, Florida 33138 April 1, 1980 Mr. Joseph Grassie, City Manager City of Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, Florida 33133 Dear Mr. Grassie: RE: Pornoqraphy and prostitution up -date and recommendations for Commission Action. Time Required: 10 minutes When: April 10, 1980 Commission Meeting. The requirements of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration Grant to the City of Miami dictate that citizens, through area sub -councils, participate in addressing crime re- lated problems by coordinating and utilizing available resources such as the City Commission. I will appreciate you including me on the schedule for the next Commission Meeting and advising me of the approximate time. JEW:mb Very truly yours, J seph E. Woodnick, Chairman A Citizens Volunteer (P.A.C.) Public Assistance Council 8 0 _ ,7 COMPREHENSIVE CRIME WMION PROGRAM Northeast Area Sub -Council P.O. Box 381362 / Miami, Florida 33138 March 26, 1980 Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, Mr. Grassie. Thank you for this opportunity to present the public's views and to make reccomendations regarding the present pornography and prostitution situation in the City of Miami and other areas in Dade County. My name is Joe Woodnick, Chairman of the City of Miami Comprehensive Crime Prevention Program, Northeast - L.R. Area Sub -Council. Public notification of this program was made at Claude Pepper Towers on October 20, 1979 and was attended by you, Mr. Mayor, Commissioner Plummer, Congressman Pepper, Chief Kenneth Harms, Major Clarence Dickson, director of this program city wide, and others, including this person. To refresh everyones memory on the concept of this program, it is a $270,000.00 grant from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration with $30,000.00 in matching funds from the City of Miami. These funds could only be granted by L.E.A.A. with written endorsement for the grant signed by Mayor Maurice Ferre. The grant is designed so that citizens of each target area, Northeast -Little River, Edison, Allapattah, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, Wynwood, Culmer, Downtown and Model City, would identify crime related problems, partake in decision making on how to address the problems and utilize all resources available to solve them by co-ordinating efforts. This commision, of course, is one of the resources. The problem, identified by citizens of this community, is that indiscriminate abuse of judicial discretion by judges and many defendants not fined or penalized as legally allowed, determines that the problem should be addressed in another manner. Regarding prostitution and pornography; statistics, understanding and examples of the problem are in order. There were 23 pornographic theatres and book stores operating in Miami which has been reduced to 9 due to the efforts of M.P.D.'s fine Special Investigation Section who have done their job so well. The remaining businesses appear to have unlimited funds with which to contest charges in court. The closed businesses could not afford this, leaving in mind the possibility of connections with organized crime for those remaining. A Citizens Volunteer (P.A.C.) Public Assistance Council COMPREHENSIVE CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM Northeast Area Sub -Council P.O. Box 381362 / Miami, Florida 33138 (Cont.) Page 2 The remaining are Gayety Theatres Inc. D.B.A. Pussycat Theatre, 7700 Biscayne Blvd.; Bal Enterprises Inc. D.B.A. Ero's Book Store, 301 N.E. 2nd St.; 25 S.E. 1 St. Corp., D.B.A. Downtown Theatre (previous corporate name of Downtown Theatre Inc.); Bee Gee Inc., D.B.A. 79th St. Art Theatre, 135 N.E. 79th St. and Rex Cinema, 7929 NE 2nd Ave.; Florida Literary Distributors Corp., D.B.A. Rich's News Stand, 180 N.E. 79th St.; 7937 Biscayne Blvd. Corp., D.B.A. Mar-Glo Corp., D.B.A. Danny's Book Store, 131 S.E. 1st Ave.; 7839 Corp.,D.B.A. Danny's Little River News, 7839 N.E. 2nd Ave., and MBF Theatres Inc., D.B.A. United Theatre, 7829 N.E. 2nd Ave. and as Little Theatre, 184 N.E. 79th St. The convictions of these corporations and employees presently total 95 with a low of 3 and a high of 37 per corporation. There are 26 pending cases, for a total of 121. Tax dollars expended to date are incalculable, with more to come, and the goal of ridding the community of obscenity, under laws written to let each community decide what is obscene, are not obtaining results. To illustrate and emphasize the need for pursuit in civil court, consider the following use or abuse of judicial discretion. of sixteen (16) recent convictable pornography cases against one corporation before Judge Deehl, with allowable fines of one thousand ($1,000.00) each, the defense attorney was asked by said Judge what he was authorized to settle for. After a phone call was made by the defense attorney, the defense attorney offered a five thousand ($5,000.00) settlement for these convictable cases. The Judge accepted the defense offer over objections of prosecution. The results: The defense and the corporation,ineffect, became the Judge, and the Judge became a nothing entity. The county coffers also were shorted eleven thousand ($11,000.00). At a time of projected deficit of available tax dollars. Employee defendants of the same corporation were given probation, with special conditions that they refrain from working at like jobs for a specified time. At time of arrest in the recent charges, some had not completed the time frame restriction on previous charges on which they were on probation. Judge Deehl violated this previously imposed condition of probation. A Citizens !Volunteer (P.A.C.) Public Assistance Council COMPREHENSIVE CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM Northeast Area Sub -Council P.O. Box 381362 / Miami, Florida 33138 (Cont.) Page 3 Another illustration is evidenced by a Miami Police Department study appearing in the Miami Herald on November 5, 1979. From August 1978 to August 1979 over 23,000 man hours and $475,000.00 was spent by M.P.D. in making 1,000 arrests to curb prostitution. The results: Judges Deehl, Klein, Maginnis, Robinette and Rubiera, who handled these prostitution cases, did not fine one defendent of 140 cases randomly surveyed. A small percentage were given jail time. Nearly one half million dollars of tax money was expended on arrests and another approximate one half million dollars in fines could have gone to tax coffers. Among responses about Judges being "bleeding heart liberals" and quote "everyone is going to get the same sentence" Judge Deehl says "you need a robot, not a Judge. Just push the button". In effect he is the robot by imposing no fines and legally by passing laws available for his use. Any grade school student could perform as well. The Herald article states that these five Judges say"They can't be swayed by public or police pressure". This miasmatic attitude of Judges, corrupt attitude if you will, is contemptous of the law abiding public, and the voters who put these Judges in office. This contempt is trans- mitted to prostitutes who laugh in the face of our Police Officers, deteriating their morale and affecting the quality of Police Enforcement City and County Wide. A very serious problem at this time. You may as well officially advise that arrests should not be made. This commission may not be able to address the prostitution problem at this time, the voters can handle this at the polls, but; you can address the pornography problem by acting upon the recommendations to follow, with publicity,strong visible leadership of which you are capable. The public is saying "We have had enough". Let us not continue this crime without punishment reputation in Dade County, so well known to all criminals and those with criminal intent, from school age through adulthood. The Miami Police Department is performing their job well in spite of the courts leniency, now let us do our job and exhibit public support of their efforts. Recommendations are: 1. Pursue these convictions in civil court within the parameters of the public nuisance statute and any other state statute or County/ City ordinance applicable. A Citizens Volunteer (P.A.C.) Public Assistance Council (Cont.) COMPREHENSIVE CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM Northeast Area Sub -Council P.O. Box 381362 / Miami, Florida 33138 Page 4 2. Hire an attorney specialized in this area of law to develop cases against these nine (9) businesses. 3. Have said attorney do so with consultation and co-operation of knowledgeable officers in Miami Police Department Special Investigation Section. 4. Have said attorney re -write and improve existing pornography laws with consultation and co-operation of knowledgeable officers in Miami Police Department Special Investigation Section. 5. Said attorney to develop and write a law with substantial fine, applicable to owners who knowingly rent houses, apartments and motel/ hotel rooms for use of prostitution. We ask that these recommendations be acted upon immediately, bearing in mind that pornography is reaching children of the community and many rapes and rape -murders may have been caused by this stimuli of the mind which is carried beyond the premises of these businesses. Pornographic literature and obscene movies may not be the victimless crime as some perceive. Neither is prostitution. The following list of endorsements appendixed is representative of the public concern. Thank you for your co-operation. JEW:ly Attachments. 44,4 r/�4 - � Joseph E. Woodnick Chairman A Citizens Volunteer (P.A.C.) Public Assistance Council 6 SECTtO.Y B �" Miami Herat3 � the Monday. Nmember :�, 10:9 Grumno Isme la��Ust.tuten tl'�?Says ..Pint eu !t By ROBERtA StRt;GGS Save been arrested on prosritution» less than 50 days and $500 fora port concludes. "'he hreakdr�},vr "We get pressure ' om the pc•>pae Rao '`e*. �eve� Ott «..w saw �,,r related charges since Jasuary Po- third offense. the tem ,..is t re unish- who aye n the area 'of Biscayne aTeverce i.s hfiami police an ooatroi pros'J- lice say the "SeaC :s on" and suer! Judges are Sot required to follow met ven !or : s cnmr u - Boulevard; +.o do something atwnt See• ntt� a tsa prostltutian activity has "really those iuideilnes. to s trs vpe ynm nai :ttis prohie o'I sa d. "We rant n . e tuzoa ao the streets, but the legal tilaned out" Pouce contend they rarefy do. to get these jir'.s , tf :tse seer but ne us Preis h`e `utt,, system breaks +own to the court- � 3 r- pros:,t�tton ,ascs us- ' tXt{cers recently spent more than hen judges don't give stiff ;en- we can t snits : �;� prc,birm `, "^fit nt> m peca�.�e the punishment But officers aren't happy 41th two weeks compiling statistlq on aeaces, SgL Jimmie Cox said, pros- selves.' posed at bttxeea flay i and rtug doese't fit tee :rime, a police study what happens when •hear cases sentencing by eacb of the five tltution increases because the prof- ':be five 'ud es sa :hev .a '+ 0. VTN otficrs surveyed "0 at concludes, retch Dade County Court. judges -who handle prospros'— prostitution its are worth the risk for pr' - sw 'e.. nv pn, a ore andom. From August 1978 to August sure. g- --r hey competed Uti6tics an how 19?9, po0ce spent m�Tre than .3.h}0 CITY PRO aws call cases. totes. women deter.dants were 1979, p tk and f n :o ff far sentencesPRO of not less than 15 "The Miami Poiice_I7eQs tme la RLiT IF A WO!►tAti knoyy s she"1 � : >z;: so agree many prostitution, the •ce, .oteiligccce days and 5200 fine for a first of- ex mot='ems^ Wer Probably, go to likely to to an- the t �baetnt ay:,ye? edges J hiar r 'ineG. acquitted. had "•sir a>rs Ji �s e re other city where the risks are less. :o sa zt eves'onr .n ail•' -edge Tan to Page lE Col. t and "tarcotics WIN} Squad says. leader, not :ess than 30 days and an .tnan� a aca roc can— on of Cox said, she's � ?r v About 1�00 meld 'women 5500 for a second offense and not m rosYt utttut, '�'.'�^'�"' OD 1 rZ) c9 i4 i . i wages ms p u to otanuararenaities : FRT.i PACE 18 missed, received suspended sen- tancea or probation. were released for time served or were sentenced to Jell by the county judges. THE VIN SQUADS report, which Included the opinicrs of the five olfl;ern, was prepared for Miami Police Chief Kenneth Harms. "I'm sure you will find its con- tents eye-cpczag." Cox wrote in a cover letter. The serve • "e t M�ats__ out the as w."sie to au t, e report says. s, In a :eater to Chief Circuit Judge Edward D. Cowart, sold the report did not necessarily reflect Lhe opinion of the Miami Police De- partment, according to one of the county judges. Harms re"used to comment on the report. When asked about the Ietter, a police rpekesman said that what Harms wrote to the judge Is "aobudy's business." Jodie •.reek;%b!nette handled 36 of the 170 cases saveyed. Accord - I" to Lue at mey, he gave no set- tettxa of.l3 days or mare. "That's just not true," Robinette said, add:rg that he could name sev- eral cases in which he'd sentenced repeat offenders to 30 or 60 days. THE St'RCFY abowed Robinette suspended -entente In 10 of his cases, dismissed two, released four women for Ume served, acquitted one and gave six sentences of less that 15 days Five cases acre ass• 7. zt� DEEHL KLEIN MAGiNNIS ROBINETTE RUBIERA Cases 36 41 20 36 37 (Defendants Convicted,* Jailed Under It Days 16.7% 2.4% ' S% 27.7% 0 • 115-30 Days 27.8 % . 26.8 % ` 25 % 0 8.1 % Over 30 Days 11.1 % 19.5 % 5 % 0 5.4 % Defendants Convicted, 'Not Jailed Suspended Term 0 4.9% O 27.8% 2.7% Probation 5.6 % 0 5 % 2.8 % 27 % fined O 0 0 0 0 Defendants geed or at Large Acquitted 0 O O 2.8 % 2.7 % Cess Dismissed 0 19.5 % 20 % 5.6 % 13.5 % Charge Withdrawn 16.6 % 4.9 % S % 13.9 % 21.6 % Did Not Appear 22.2 % 22 % 35 % 19.4 % 19 % gnus M,a.f Pahx rt^wt sNCr W irD.abandr �.Ie y.0 arntlRdbi uxa 4',De� ENre.e Mw i .W a,q 30, M4. prosecuted and bench warrants go along with what the state says. were Issued for seven defendants But this is generally the kind of who didn't show up for court. thing you hear from the police. As 'R almost always follow the rec. long as 1 can remember, they've ommendstiors of the prosecutor," been blaming the problems on Robinette said. "1110si the Illme bleeding-heart liberal judges. I don't the ublic defen ,e the pm cur or w'0 see It that way." e ! O .'.ers�iv' w T�,yrra_ ngemen . t ty suggest STATE ATTORNEY Janet Reno tomethittjf a3lLri Ti'i not unconsclona• said, however, that m_os-Il s in bk, T'tl sceept it." p�stituson cases are nee iotiatt Mchael Roffino, supervisor of tEe azaj nmeTSetween the use pabne defenders in County Court. - o e en a n pleas are negotiated for about Reno haS gone to court to urge 110 to 90 per cent of prostitution Judges to follow the sentencing !oases. guldellnes of the ordinance. -'We not fair to blame It on the She also has urged the police to it es," he said. "Most of them just concentrate an making strong cases against repeat offenders. she said, and some of those cases have come to court in the past two weeks. Reno's office got high marks In the VIN squad report. "Since January, the cooperation level of the state attorney's office has Improved drastically and the B- atson which we now enjoy should he respected and savored .. In general, the state attortiey's office has been more helpful in assisting us with our problems and is per- forming adequately towards the presecutlon of prostitution crimes." JUDGE GERALD Klein WAS the toughest judge, according to the no - lice survey. He gave jail sentences In 20 of the 41 cases studied. But he was critical of the police statistics. "It's just not accurate as far as I'm concerned," Klein said. "in every one of my cases. I give con- victed women jai► Ume." He dismissed eight cases. sus- pended sentence in two and issued bench warrants In nine cases, ac- cording to the police surrey. Two cases weren't prosecuted. Klein. Deehl and Judge C.P. Rubi- era said they rarely give jail time to men convicted of prostitution charges "With men, fr•c to I-v+ l— e.• f tie never had one appear before me a second time," Klein said. "But with women. it's a caicu'.ated act for profit." Dacus was surp.'.ced thet he w:s the second tou;hest 1.:''2e in the survey, giving iail sentences in 14 out of 36 cases. 111AT'S FU%%Y," he <- id. "The last time they did this k:rd of sur- vey. I was one of the easy ones." Habitual offenders, he syd, are treated more harshh b; all ;edges. But he rarely glves a first offender the Is days specified in the city or- dinance. _ _••- -- •----_�,_:� tiey ra can�Tcbtt eg en the sidewalk or <hatever.I try to give =75e of the women are very clever — they play th> game to the hilt." Deehl said. "But some of these glr!s are kids on drugs. They're run- acvays. They're juveniles. They're everything in the book. And some of them a:e vet}, very pitiful." Ru`lera gave all sentences In only five of the 37 0• his cases po- lice surveyed. He gave probation in 10 cases, damissed five, acquitted one, suspended one sentence and is- sued sever, bench warrants. Eight of his cases sve-e not prosecuted. THERE WERE a "lot of inaccura. vies" in the survey. Rubiera said. The report stated that in several Instances "where ,police: 'officers steadfastly refused to negotiate a lower sentence." judges retired to their chambers to discuss the case with a priiate attorney and re- solved the sentencing there without officers' input. "f don't know of env instance where that has ever occurred." Ru. biera said -We'd be brought up on charges if we met only with the de- fendant. And 1 don't think the sta- tistics in the report are accurate. Judge Klein nev'ers waives jail time." Rubiera agreed with the other judges that each case must be con- sidered individually. "If I'm going to take the stand that everytindv s goingtojail," he benchVd be blaee,' Judge A: th,-r Magin-vis handled only 20 0: the 170 cases surveyed. He gave jail sentences in seven cases, dismissed foi:r, gave probe. flan In one and issled sever. bench. warrants. Oce rasa was not prose-. cuted. "I TRY TO follow the lase as 1: see It and take each case individual- ly." Maginnis said. The judos iimpathl:.e with the. prob'e .; of poise and the neigh- borhoods affected by prostitution. Deehl said. But, he added, everyone has to recciri--e there Is no easy W. lut,on to the problem. -We know' ice et sure rom o. C- a:s, w o e pros ' e lr�tn c.ric gran a sue. 'Sut cvz Ea': e"S deal with thlrcases an3w2'can'E be pft�;:re3 thgt IV AT'Art ut'Sho-;=bn'it we could, some tnnxect person could be swept away in the tide." fi.Psr s�FffivD E•�S i'%CE T,, e rMF ,Put f. sTA,2-.vrf 1Jr ,v.r ,W4.104 ,pry I-AaA, Set Free After Attack on Girl, ' Is ,balled Aaain Over 2 New Assaults. returned when he beard Miss Pat- probation — without their knowl- . seph N. Durant had accepted a gull - By ZDNA BUCRANAIN edge, The girl. stripped and beaten ty plea to the battery and placed '"'aa a.w �'a'f ton screaming pocket when she refused to commit n act Damon on a year's probation two A roan set free on probation after He took out a Boy Scout poc v attack on a 13-year-old girl last knife, potltt said, and went to her of prostitution, according to police, wreks earlier. He also withheld n t the suffered a broken nose and may adjudication of guilt. year Is Jailed -gala In two new as saults. Thla turn, police said Thursday, Allan George Damon, 21. used a g% Is charged with two attempt - ad murders. two aggravated batter- Jes and a burglary for which Police had anoutstanding warrant Doons Patton. 20. and . James Reason, 23, were walking from the trailer park where they U es to a county park near SW 264th Street and 141st Avenue oo Wednesday, Metro pollee said. They were walk- ing east when Damon and a juvenile ghmpallon began following them. Damon reportedly hit Reason to the face three times with a pistol. Illiss Patton attempted to run away and was tackled by Damon, who knocked her down, oat on her, choked her and then fired a shot hest to her head. 'SHE JUVE,%1LE was fighting with Reason who thought the girl had successfully escaped, police said. He broke free. started to run and heard the juvenile shout, "Shoot 'emf Shoot 'em! Shoot 'em'." he told police. They say Damon opened fire. Despite five shots aimed at him. Reason stopped and rescue. stabbing Damon a stomach. have permanent eye and kidney police learned of the probatlon police took the juvenile to Youth damage. when they Investigated another As - Hall and Damon to Jackson Memo - lint Hospital, where he was report- DETECTWESS and her family sauit to which Damon was a sua ed In fair condition In the Prison t. twere rial onechargesto tof procuriat ng aafe- Judge Durant said at the time ward. that he did remember the case Last year, police and the family male under 16 for prostitution and „vs uely," but couldn't recall why of a 13-year-old were outraged to, battery when they learned there he u t Damon on learn that Damon was set free on would be no trial. Circuit Judge Jo- P probation. Ilan accused of second killing HEATHEN DEWAR MINI a 260-11le Miami homicide detectives are looking forward to their next meeting with Spencer Snell. When they find him. detectives plan to charge him with the murder of an scquamtance in a downtown bar yesterday. Judge Joseph Durant also has a date with Snell. i -ter this month, Durant is scheduled to preside at Sneil's trial on charges that he murdered another ac- quaintance Oct. 12 on the front porch of his Liberty City apartment. Snell was at liberty on a $2.500 bond, set by Du- rant, when W ilile D11son was shot to death at 1:45 a m. in front of BJ's Lounge, 6501 NW nth Avenue. Miami detectives said witnesses told them they saw Snell playing pool with Dtxson, 25. of 17324 NW 9th Ave. They saw the two men quarrel and then step outside the bar, police said. Then, according to police. Dixson was shot in the chest, and gain in the head. "we have enough evidence to arrest him on proba- ble cause anytime we want," said homicide Sgt. Steve De Yong. r When witnesses gave homicide detectives Snell's name they recognized it. He was charged with second- degree murder last October in the shooting death of Lonnie Upshaw, 23. Police sai Upshaw was arguing with Sneirs roommate about an old $20 debt. Upsbaw was shot three 'Ames. Officers investigating yesterday's case are outraged that Snell was out of jail on the earlier murder charge. "Releasing them on bond takes away the s,!nous- ne.s of the crime," sal homicide detective Mike Gon-zalez. "It Ignores the rights of the victim and the rights of s ciety" der preuaU a darter to the public," added Sgt. Etnie Vivien. Durant disagrees. I've tried dozens of times to explain this to in , P. especially when I worked in the state attorneys ..I- fice;' he said. "Judges may not wart to Set bord; !,,it the Constitution of the state of Flonda requires them W. Durant said that at hard hearin,.s, pro rcui.,r% for the state are required to prove th,r,r c — "cvrn mere stringenLy than they would to a lure. The; mint prr.- duce eyewitnesses, or a confpss,on, or bdth. If tney it') not, the judge has to set bond. The law calks for an al- most perfect case" Detectives said they have an almost pert .t c e against Snell in the Upshaw shooting. They say th have several eyewitnesses and a cor.fv%sinn. Durant said he doesn't recall the circumlt:incr..d the case. But he said several appeals court ruler,;, ha, e held a judge has ire right to allow bond m a rnurd.r case even if the state's cage i..trong. -I don't always agree with U,e pro i i ulcer + „ff., e on the charges they file. if trey chari.p a man w.,h - ond-degree murder and I Mink he bhnuld be charged with manslaughter. I'll probably gran, hun bond." Vivien argued that power gives the lud:�ps 1w, m.i, h discretion. "Unless we can snow the tidy nag t" nn t- ted a really hemous crime and has a tic kph to Venrru, I in his pocket, chi nces are he's going to get out (in h.,t." he said. "The dud„es are getting more and r.ore !rn,- t shout this, and mire and more murdprprr are skipi,ing bond or going on to perform other crirnes." Durant agreed many lunge, arc tt,o lenient oh, -t postitg bond in murder case, ' Persui,aity, I agr, a wish them (pcilice)." he said. "but I have .I balance the T" lit of *%0 defendant V" rn n', rv, , Lin -, , w Youth Gets 30 Years Inr Torture -Robbery By JIM BUCHANAN "*"" stairVP~sr Almost a year ago Johnny Sostre was charged with auto theft and at- tempting to drive the stolen car O over the officer who arrested him. He was released on bond. In August Sostre was arrested t for autd theft again Once more he was released on bond. In October the 19-year-old drifter threw a fire bomb through the win- dow of a West Mallet Street cite. He stayed in All until mid-Novem- her when be pleaded guilty to three burnt ytorphsaloe Gabs+ felonies before Circuit Court Judge thrown" into her Coconut Grow• Jose h Durant Jr. DUgIANT SAID then that three home by three young men who aC- coated her at she unlocked the door, years probation and no iml time the said. might lead to Sostre's rehabilitation Satre As identified Saas one of although prosecutors sVOngly dis- the three and the one who "818PPed agreed. olice say he spent one night of me. twisted my nano, pulled my hair. stomped on tact and beat my that probation time torturing an el legs" derly nurse. Wednesday Judge Ellen Mor- Throughout the two and a half hours of purichment. the said, the phonios-Gable ruled that new charges of 'kidnaping, robbery and three ransacked her home, demand - Ing to know when she kept her aggravated assault against Sostre valuables They left with a quantity warrant canceling probation and of wiverwsre, a silver dinner serv- imposing a 30-year prison sentence ice and a collection of foreign, sit- - five years each for the two auto thefts and the assault on the officer, vat ins, the said. Sostre will hear her story agrAdDit plus 15 years for arson. Sostre listened impassively as As- A trial date on the robbery chaMr will be set today and the cane PrOtr atatant State Attorney Jay Novick shiv will be heard by Judge Mor- led 66-year-old nursing supervisor phonios-Gable Ruth McLaughlin through a recital it a jury finds the teenager Sultry of her ordeal. he faces a inasimum penalty of life MCLAVGHLDN told how she had lent Mercy hospital at 1:45 a m. on imprisonment for the kidnaping. another tife term for armed robbery the morning of Feb. 16. She was and Live years for saa�ulL ` y�r r , . ;G:C 11 Dh,.) ESE OF Ak1AQJ �1 1'IIL :11AN�LRf , b.IJi Iti�,,t.nt Il�uhivrd t� .� ,V�unn, Ilonda 3JIJ8 OFFICL OF LOMMI.INIt♦ NLLATION5 0051 JS J 0981 March 26o 1980 TO WHOM I`I' MAY CONCERN: The Archdiocese of Miami applauds and encourages the efforts of the Comprehensive Crime Prevention Program, and particularly its Northeast Area :pub -Council under the chairmanship of Joseph !:. Woodnick. This orF*anization, which the Archdiocese supports by its own membership in it, is seeking; to eliminate the blight occasioned by ramn;int por irrlopraphy and prostitution practices in our community, aiorr�r, with a number of other crimes. To date, the primary call:;e hiriderin�,, our citizens from eliminating these grimes has been a lax judicial procedure in sentencing, those who break the law. Our dedicated police officers are practically hulples_; in oarryinFr out the expressed will of the citizens for, law enforcement when judges will not penalize criminals for their crimes. We implore the Mayor, the Commissioners and Mr. Grassie to do all in their power to cooperate with and to enforce the recommendations being offered by Mr. Woodnick and the concerned citizens whom he represents. 1�:4 Father Donald CAnolly Coordinator for Community Helations Archdiocese of Miami downtown develo ment U ority 4099 one binoyna tower • mioml, f la. 33131 • (305) 579-6675 April 4, 1980 Mrs. Mary Lichtenstein Chairman N.E. Sub -Council Comprehensive Crime Prevention program 888 N.E. ?1st Street Miami, Florida 33138 Clear Mrs. Lichtenstein: 'Cie problems of pornography and prostitution as well as pandering and loitering are ,an important concern of the staff of the Downtown Development. Authority. If we are to be successful in our efforts to encourage residential development in downtown, these problems and the criminal activity and criminal types that they generate must be firmly addressed and eradicated. Consequently we heartily support your call for special police and legal attention to the downtown and Northeast sectors of Miami where these moral/criminal activities are most prominent. Please call on me and my staff if we can be of further assistance to you. Sincerely, Roy F. Kenzie Executive Director RFK/mr 4 6 '*'GC*Ao U111c River COMMUCC ASSOCIallono loco H281 N U �ne1 Avenue ! t ittle River I Woni, Fhsrida 3:1138 / 154 7444 • 754.1444 Apt i 1 9, 1980 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCI,kN : The Littler River Commerce Association has and will continue to endorse the activities of the Comprehensive Crime Prevention Pro,lr.am, The Little (liver Area, like all_ ether communi-ties, is seeking ways to make our streets, homes, and businesses more desiilible places to live. Crimes a,_lainst residents an,a businessmen are nothinq new to the Littlu River Area and all. ether areas for that m,etter. What is new, is the revitalized particip,►lion of the c(milTIunity in identifying offenders and assisting our law enforcement officials. Crime statistics must he viewc,d in terms of personal injury, loss of income_, property da►►ia(ie, and other results of law violations, in order to fully comprehend and appreciate the impact on our citizens. With all clue respect, we are reyuestin,l that all city and county officials charged with the responsibility of crime prevention favorably consider the recommundations offered by Mr. Joseph Woodnick, Chairman of the: Northeast Area Sub CounciL. The personal interest of the city officials will be viewed closely by all concerned citizens. Yours very rely, �b.c' L� . 1— Bednar, President Little River Commerce Association DLL: mb I %�i��i� /(I-i�r�i� •l(/•fl�lr� (� �t+�ilr�1�� •r'��.�or. rf*ev Af •XiIor MIAMI, tlaklpU 31148 Apr11 4, 11080 TO W110M I i• HAY CONCEI N: H.L. Kelle Me•,tdv. Ilona• llwnvt. A,;,tic IitI It it la ;,,tt•:ItI, t•IIt,ur:tled by t.itt- t•ffurts of III.- Comprohenslve Crimt- Itrevoution Prot,tam will, It I:; rurreut ly direct fill!, Iltllt'!t tit it,. el torts It,w.ird Lho' clminatlon tot lourn,yr,lphy, pro:itHilt lon .Ind of hvt' at.•r i olls c r imt•:; t llt oul,hkiut Dativ County. The Chai:tn,tn All . .)to:;c1>h E.Woodnick, IS to hu rot11111t ndt•d tut' Ills 1 ille ettul L:, 1.1 bill,ilf ttf till.- to-ildellLs of Lite Northe.u.t where :I ;►oat Cunccrltration of thk+;V critutn.11 ,trllvitle5 h.lvt+ dave:lolu•d In Ivient year:;. Ut•:;ltitt• the trlf,trtti of Ittt•,il rivlc groups who have• endeav,+ttrcd for year,- Lu runtrtII p,irtiogt.lpltir hook >; bores and Llte,ltrt•:; they rant Inue t0 LhrIVe. t•1ut h tit tout f,11 lust• r,111 lit- ,11 Lt lhuted dlreet ly to slit• Iaxity of our .ju,lici,il :;y:,tt•m and, I I 1 1),1rLirul,lr, our loyal ,jud};v:; who 1iavt: relte,ttvdIy IaIIed LU IIII fills e 1 inc:i and jail kill tite I;ul lty. 11e:ipitc the f itic el forth of uur pal Ire lit flrers, when Such , riminal -, are al'Vt t•heltdt-d Lilo), are: merely brought before the court, reprimanded and relua:,ud wltI1 ntt more Lh:►n :I I I g I I t fille, only Ln hel,,in again In tht Ir durArucLlon of , he moral -, of our youth raid ruination cif our Ilove I ,, ne. tghborhuud:,. Crin4o will cvrtittill y ,spread t'al,ltlly till lv.;5 our ,curt.:; b0giIt to impu:;e heavy pe•naltivs on all criminals. The people of 13ulle Meade iulplure all governmetlL officials Lu do everything I,t,ssible Lo persuade tour judf;u5 Lu :a•vvre•ly penalize rill convicted criminal~. We also n5k that Lite 'rlAyot', Cutnml5:,ioner;; and tttht•r of fit Lila support told t•ui ur,•o Lite i ccommendat ion:; offered by Mr.W(w(hih k who speaks tor all con- tt•rntrd cILIzun5 who c:trl nu lct1Igt:1 11•f01-11 tt) t,,ltrn:u till:; continuing corrupLiot; oI our ellvlronutent. Itl:I.l.l': MEADS' IIuME OWNERS ASSuClATI.ON frank A.11,1Lhaway � Prt•as itlent t � � 4 V Nurlheivil Ualilist Burch 43120 N L Tarr, AVtNUL MIAMI. PI 01V41A 331:18 March 9, 1980 UALL U HUR,oN JH s•A 5 to,+ •N111At, §.nPINubA CO-PAyI OR �.� • t t. 1. FALIK& 9ECNEtARe Chief of Police City of Miami Miami, Florida Dear Sir, I am Pastor- of the Northeast Bat1tist Church. The Church is located on N G 5th Avenue at 68th Street. The pro�t.itutes are now usintl 5th Avenue as their pick-up areas. They have become a public nuisance as well as a disgrace to what was once a family community of good standing. c';ur problem on 5th Avuitue is really a testimony to the work of your men all Biscayne Boulevard. Tht: prostitutes have had to seek a less exposed place to do their sol.icitinlJ. I know you have been told by many people about the prostitutes and are probably fLu:itrated that you don't g1Jt mute help from some of the judges. We will work on that at utect1UI1 times. W12 still have the childrurl vx- posed to the lewd motions, the expo:;uru of the breast when •x male drivun car passus by, the lewd motiuns and cursing of this women as they pass by. It is not safe to drive a car dowti 5th Avetluu bucause of th«_ distractions caused by the prostitutes as they run up to your car. I was almost hit yesterday by d vehicle that swerved to miss a prostitute who had run up to a car. In a law abiding society, tl,e 1.:itizuns must turn to their police to keep the law. You may be saying that that this is not a law abiding society. It is not for a small percentage. The rest of us who hate anarchy must look to our police for protuction. Any help you can 1jive by ket.pin,t thu prt-ssure on the prostitutes will be appreciated. I personally can put up witty a lot, but to see womanhood so degraded by the lewd remarks ut the prostitutes just about. drives one to drastic: measures. If y1u still lived in this community and it was your mother or wife, you would be up_et enoulltt to ,lo something too. i'lua5i! givls u5 sumu relict with our probll!m. Thank you for all your people do for us in this; community already. ,. I 11_,.L}l Dal' D. riurton, r. / , Pastor CHUNGta 701-7jOa 0 PA1910141UM Yb1.4275 4 4 Mayor Maurice Terre and the Miami City Commission 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, PL. 33.133 5911 N L" 6 Ave. Miami, FL. 33137 April 8, 1980 Dear Mayor and City C:ommisSion, It is indeed disconcerting for property owners in our area, who do much to prevent burglaries, to hear and witness a) that most of the burglars have long arrest records and b) that shortly after being arrested in our neijhborliood the burglar is again hack to the cri►u. It is very important that you use your power and influence to correct this situation. There are more and more people who are reacting to the above situation in extreme manners. One is to take matters into their own hands to enforce the Law themselves - with guns - which always inea►is death for some .innocent person. The other extreme is d.issoluti.on with all judical and governmental authority. Various crime prevention programs and efforts are being utilized by more citizens, However, even these will become more ineffective unless the above stated situation is acted upon by our officals with concrete results evident to all. Cordially, (The Rev.) Karl Thiele 650 N. L. 58st . 1liami, FL 33137 April J, 190 1'o: Miami City commission: On December 17, 1979; an article appeared in the Miami flews entitled "It's close in, gracious and crime ridden". This article described the neighborhood of "lorningside Park. This heautifUl area i, reported as a neighborhood under "siege". As a former President of the 'lorningside Park Homeowner's Association, I am familiar with the problems of this section of the City of Miami on a first hand basis. The burglary problem has reached the point where the citizens are becoming an armed camp. 'There is hardly a home in the area without a watchdog. People are banding together in block group; in self defense. tlany fur the first time in their lives are purchasing guns. I have nu doubt that the problems are Martially the fault of the lenient treatment of burglars by the courts and the ram- pant prostitution and its associated crimes that are allowed to flourish on Biscayne Boulevard. Last year I was personally involved in apprchcnding a burglar who had just robbed une of - my neighbors. Ihis poor misguided 29 year oldwas on probation for five years vet he was released and caught robbing another house only a few blocks away the following day. Prior to his trial hu confessed to eight other robberies and event iaily plea bargained his way to a nine year sentence. This is a hardened, habitual criminal who threatened my life, yet I was never allowed to testify in court against him. I guarantee this man will never be rehabilitated and yet in le„ than two years he will again be paroled to continue his life of crime. I am hitter at a judicial system that allows these things to happen. I have talked to Chief Harms of the "liami Police Department on more than one occasion about the crime problems of our area. He assures me that one way to deter criminals is through stiffer sentences for criminal activities. 1 Heartily agree that repeat offenders miust He dealt with more Harshly than the judges of this county are nou doing. We must male a stand against this flour- ishing criminal activity or we shrill perish as a decent place to live. Sincerely yours io. / 1). 1.. Spaulding P�