HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Public Comments Submitted Online for the September 7, 2024 First Budget HearingSeptember 7, 2024 First Commission Budget Hearing
First Budget Hearing of the Miami City Commission - September 7, 2024
September 7, 2024 10:59 AM MDT
Public Comment
motero@miamigov.com
First Last Street
Agenda
Nam Nam Addre Public Comment
Item
e e ss
50
Biscay The following are my priorities: funding to keep an ongoing bike patrol (equipment and officers),
ne BH. BH - enhancing police visibility for downtown; funding to expand the network of public surveillance
Blvd BUDGET cameras, to cover all of the urban core; Line item funding for the police, human services, and code
Allan Scott
#1910 HEARIN enforcement required to execute the new Florida statute around homeless encampments; Increase
Miami G the availability of code enforcement to protect scofflaw code violators from affecting the quality of
Life and business development in downtown; Thank you - Allan Scott
33132
Sand
y
5910
Mois NE
e 6th
Court
BH. 1
#16469
Discussio
n - Public
Commen
Proposed
MillageT
entative
Budget
FY '25
I urge the City of Miami Commission to increase the budget for Marine Patrol to add a minimum of
four additional full-time marine patrol officers to the unit. There are over 76,000 registered vessels
and over 18,000 personal watercraft (jet skis) in Miami -Dade County. However, the number of
marine patrol officers has not grown exponentially with the increase of registered vessels and
personal watercraft. Additionally, the size, power of engines, and speed of the vessels are much
greater than the vessels 20 years ago, as well as the skill level, experience, and knowledge of the
vessel operators is much lower. We know have completely inexperienced operators on the vessels
and personal watercraft, with no or very limited knowledge of rules, regulations, and speed
designations, and manatee protection zones. We have had numerous vessel and personal
watercraft related crashes that have resulted in significant injury and death. We have a critical need
for additional marine patrol officers dedicated to active patrol and enforcement on our bodies of
waters, as well as park rangers on our spoil islands. The city could look at ways to fund additional
marine patrol officers and marine rangers for our spoil islands by increasing boat ramp fees,
increasing the fees for violations and citations, charging an admission fee for the spoil islands,
requiring vendors to obtain a permit from the city when taking large groups to the spoil islands, and
requiring vendors to have a contract with city when vending at the spoil islands. Again, I encourage
you to please increase funding for much needed additional marine patrol officers dedicated to
patrolling and enforcement, and for marine park rangers for for the spoil islands.
I strongly oppose the defunding of Miami's Police Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP). This
329
NE independent body plays a crucial role in ensuring police accountability and fostering trust between
76th BH. BH - law enforcement and the community. Particularly in District 5, where we see some of the highest
Justi BUDGET volumes of complaints, removing the CIP would harm efforts to address systemic issues and deny
Pinn Street,
HEARIN residents a vital avenue for their concerns to be heard and acted upon. The loss of such oversight
Miami
FL G could erode public trust and further strain already vulnerable community relationships. We need the
33138 CIP to remain albeit modified to comply with state taw, but it should be fully funded to continue its
important work.
Moni Trac 5 BH. 1 Due to the massive increase in the number of vessels on our already crowded Biscayne Bay, please
ca y Island #16469 add 3-4 new full time Marine Patrol officers! I see near miss collisions every week -end day, and
Ave Discussio there are over 76,000 registered boats in Miami -Dade. Not to mention the jet skis. Earlier this year,
Miami n - Public I did see stepped up enforcement, but it has gone away. Too many people are drinking and
Beach Commen boating, and we need these additional officer badly. You can charge larger fees at the boat ramps
, FL, t - or charge some of these tour operators to use the bay. Anything to aliviate the congestion and
33139 Proposed blatant disregard of our local laws. Please fund this to help boaters, kayakers, swimmers and
MillageT citizens to safely enjoy our Bay! Monica Tracy
entative
16637 Submittal -Public Comments Submitted Online for the September 7, 2024 First Budget Hearing
First Last Street
Agenda
Nam Nam Addre Public Comment
Budget
FY '25
329 As a resident of District 5, I strongly oppose defunding the Civilian Investigative Panel. The CIP is
BH. BH - vital for maintaining transparency and accountability, ensuring that our brave law enforcement
NE
Vas Bets 76th BUDGET officers can work in partnership with the community they serve. District 5 has some of the highest
HEARIN complaints, and removing this crucial oversight mechanism would hurt the trust we are striving to
Street,
33138 G build. For all of Miami, it's essential that we work together, with the CIP providing an important
bridge between taw enforcement and residents, ensuring fairness, accountability, and collaboration.
End of Report