C7Y - Divide Mid-beach into Two Zones

Resolutions - C7 Y

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends keeping the current configuration of two (2) patrol officers assigned to the seaside area of Mid-Beach on a high-visibility overtime detail funded through the fiscal year. If, however, a more robust enhancement is desired in the future, the Commission could consider a future allocation for permanent officers assigned to patrol the seaside area of Mid-Beach.

The Administration recommends that while the Commission evaluates these configurations, it also carefully considers several critical factors that will significantly impact the General Fund budget, beginning in FY 2026:

1. The City’s increasing unfunded capital improvement program 2. Long-term General Fund financial projections indicating a potential shortfall in upcoming fiscal years 3. The passage of Amendment 5 in November 2024, which increases the homestead exemption and further constrains the growth of taxable property values

These considerations are essential to ensure that decisions regarding the configuration of Area 2 align with the City’s broader long-term financial stability and strategic priorities. If the Committee recommends funding a plan, the Administration recommends it be considered as part of the FY 2026 budget process.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the October 30, 2024 City Commission Meeting, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the Mayor and City Commission approved a referral (C4 R) to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (“FERC”) to discuss dividing the Mid-Beach area into two (areas/zones): east of Indian Creek and west of Indian Creek, and funding for any additional police officers necessary for Fiscal Year 2026 to properly staff this initiative.

The item was heard at the June 4, 2025 FERC meeting and moved to the full Commission with a favorable recommendation to be considered as part of the FY 2026 budget process.

ANALYSIS

This memorandum outlines the costs associated with the proposed creation of a new, stand-alone policing zone within Mid-Beach in the area known to the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) as “Area 2”. Costs for this expansion are compared with an alternative staffing option to address the current requests of residents of Mid-Beach.

Current Configuration of Area 2

Area 2, also known as Mid-Beach, is the largest geographical area within MBPD’s jurisdiction. The current configuration begins at Dade Boulevard to the south and extends west along the Venetian Causeway, east to 23rd Street, and north to 63rd Street, encompassing the beach/waterline and stretching west to the bay.

Area 2 is currently staffed as follows:

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Patrol Coverage: 5–6 police officers per shift, with one officer permanently assigned to the Venetian Causeway 24/7. The remaining 4–5 officers cover the rest of Area 2 during all shifts. Beat Officers: Two officers are permanently assigned to the 41st Street Corridor, providing coverage from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., seven days a week. Overtime Detail: A high-visibility overtime detail operates from 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M., seven days a week. This detail is staffed by one sergeant and five officers, with two officers conducting directed patrols east of Indian Creek: o One (1) officer patrolling from 41st Street north to 63rd Street o One (1) officer patrolling from 41st Street south to 23rd Street

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It is important to note that officers assigned to the High-Visibility Detail are also tasked with conducting the Traffic Mitigation Plan during afternoon rush hours Monday through Friday.

Proposed Staffing Options

1. Stand-Alone Area

A proposed Seaside Area within Area 2 as proposed by the City Commission would consist of the eastern portion of the current Area 2, bounded by Indian Creek to the west, the beach/waterline to the east, 23rd Street to the south, and 63rd Street to the north. This designated zone would also include the beachwalk and the beach along these boundaries.

The creation of a stand-alone patrol zone in Area 2 would require long-term commitment to new positions, operational and hierarchical infrastructures. The proposed staffing and resources necessary to create a stand-alone area and adhere to the requirements and the same standards of service as the four (4) official MBPD geographical areas include:

Personnel: • 1 Area Captain • 1 Neighborhood Resource Officer (NRO) • 1 Crime Analyst • 1 Crime Scene Technician • 4 Public Safety Specialists • 20 Police Officers (to provide 24/7 coverage) • 4 Sergeants • 2 Lieutenants • Specialized Units: o ATV/Beach Patrol

2. Seaside Designation Alternative Staffing o o Beachwalk Patrol Road Patrol

As an alternative to the complex and lengthy creation of an official and full-fledged area, the Administration recommends an alternative permanent staffing solution through the creation of an Area 2 Seaside designation to address specific needs in the specified east area of Area 2. This approach would staff critical functions without requiring the creation of hierarchical infrastructure, while assigning the necessary resources to the area in question.

The costs for this alternative would require a budget enhancement to fund: • A permanent assignment of 10 assigned officers and two (2) supervisors • Dedicated use of specialized units to provide targeted coverage

Officers would operate from 11:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., seven (7) days a week, delivering enhanced visibility and coverage in the Seaside area of Area 2 at a reduced cost and in a timelier manner as an immediate enhancement to the Department’s current recruiting efforts. This structure could be a replication of the longstanding and proven City Center Redevelopment Agency (RDA) which oversees City Center and Lincoln Road.

For immediate, temporary implementation, an overtime detail for one (1) sergeant and five (5) officers could be considered.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Cost Analysis

Stand-Alone Area

The estimated costs to establish and maintain a proposed new Area as a stand-alone zone with the same responsibilities and policing services as the four (4) other geographical areas of the City are approximately $7,000,000.00 for the first year. This includes the resources described in the proposed plan and accounts for:

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Personnel salaries and benefits Specialized equipment and vehicles Operational costs (e.g., training, technology, and support services)

Seaside Designation Alternative Staffing

The alternative Seaside designation alternative staffing approach involves assigning permanent officers as delineated above. The annual cost for the first year of this option is estimated at approximately $2.5 million. This funding would provide:

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2 Sergeants 10 Police Officers

The temporary implementation of an overtime detail has an estimated annual cost of $1.9 million.

CONCLUSION

The Miami Beach Police Department remains dedicated to delivering the professional public safety and community policing services residents and visitors expect and deserve. This enhancement to the Mid-Beach area, a direct request from the community via its elected officials, has been assessed based on current resources and fiscal realities.

The Administration does not believe that the creation of a stand-alone police area would be necessary to achieve the goals of increasing police presence and public safety to Mid-Beach and would in turn be fiscally and operationally challenging. Additionally, the Administration has determined that the long-term implementation of the requested enhancements is not feasible without significant additional funding as outlined above.

For immediate, temporary implementation, the Administration recommends allocation of funding for an overtime detail with the intention of a permanent solution through a potential budget amendment. The long-term alternative Seaside designation of permanent officers assigned to provide public safety services to the seaside area of Mid-Beach would need a budget enhancement and recurring allocation through the upcoming budgetary cycles.

Applicable Area

Middle Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Police

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Accept Rec/Divide Area 2 Into 2 (Areas/Zones)/East & West of Indian Creek. (Fernandez) PD

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)