Stepping up police patrols part of new plan

As a result of the July 24 crime meeting, Commander Richard Gentry immediately instituted a 60-day Operational Plan by the MPD which targets the neighborhoods with increased police presence. Patrol cars have been seen around day and night. Comm. Gentry said at the meeting,  "Please express to all of your neighbors that the Miami Police Department will ensure our due diligence at the highest caliber in our efforts to curtail crime and promote a safe community," and he was as good as his word.

There was a 12 point plan listed as a partial solution to the crime problem and slowly it is working.

Regarding a police shortage, at the meeting it was brought up that the department was 95 officers down, good news now is that 34 new officers have been hired and another 30 will be hired.

Another pressing issue in the Grove is cars speeding down the streets. Recently an older friend named Pia, was brushed by a car as she was walking home on Tuesday, August 14, approximately 8 pm. She was on Oak Avenue at the intersection of Alamanda. 

Pia is a long time, very active resident of Coconut Grove. She was working at the Fire Station on election day and was on her way home after the polls closed. A car suddenly came out of nowhere, speeding down the street and bumped into the bag she was carrying, which caused her to lose her balance and she fell. As the older woman fell, the driver just took off. Pia screamed for help and a neighbor and cyclist came to her rescue, they immediately notified the fire rescue and she was taken to Mercy Hospital with a broken ankle, she had surgery yesterday and will have to go through intensive physical therapy. All because a driver was speeding down the side streets and of course, just kept going after Pia fell.

I park at the Coconut Grove parking lot all the time, on Mary and Tigertail. As I am crossing the street to get to the Mayfair, it's almost impossible. Cars speed down Mary as if they are in a terrible rush, just to get to the stop sign on the corner. They see people standing or trying to cross, but it's a war to see how they could not allow the pedestrian to cross. I would love to see some police cars staked out around the Grove to get these speeders. 

A friend, Raphael says, "The reckless driving traffic in the Center Grove has gotten out of control. This is an on-going topic among neighbors; now we need to come together and address this problem with the City for some immediate solutions."