R7J - Create Task Force to Enforce Camping, Quality-o...

Resolutions - R7 J

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and Commission consider a comprehensive approach in creating the new Camping Enforcement Task Force as delineated below.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the June 25, 2025, City Commission Meeting, at the request of Commissioner David Suarez, the Mayor and City Commission considered a Resolution (R7 S) to create and deploy a specialized task force singularly focused on enforcement of the city’s camping ordinance and other quality of life offenses.

The item was heard and deferred to the next regularly scheduled City Commission meeting, directing the Miami Beach Police Department to come back with a comprehensive strategy.

ANALYSIS

Strategic Overview

For over a decade, the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) have worked diligently at refining a comprehensive and balanced strategy to address homelessness in the community. This approach has become a nationally recognized model, studied and emulated by larger cities with significantly higher rates of homelessness.

MBPD Homeless Resource Officers (HROs) have shared this strategy in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. The City’s sustained efforts have reduced the City of Miami Beach’s homeless census to its lowest level in years, with 105 individuals recorded in the most recent Point-in-Time Count.

The City’s approach is defined by two core elements:

1. Outreach and Engagement: Providing opportunities, resources, and services to help individuals exit homelessness.

2. Enforcement: Maintaining public safety and quality of life through consistent application of local ordinances and state laws.

In 2024, MBPD implemented department-wide training to ensure that all patrol officers:

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Possess the knowledge and skills necessary to engage compassionately and effectively with the unhoused population. Can provide detailed, 24/7 information about available social services to assist individuals in leaving the streets. Understand the legal requirements and elements of the City’s No Camping Ordinance to ensure consistent, fair, and effective enforcement.

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Arrest Data (2025 Year to Date)

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Total MBPD arrests: 2,658 (a 2.4% increase over the same period in 2024). Arrests involving homeless individuals: 1,113 (a 13% increase over the same period in 2024).

The increase in the percentage of arrests involving the unhoused reflects MBPD’s commitment to prioritizing homeless-related crime through focused enforcement and proactive engagement, as well as responding to the community’s concerns about safety and quality of life.

Homeless Resource Unit Results (2025 Year to Date)

The MBPD Homeless Resource Unit (HRU) partners with service providers to support housing placement, mental health needs, and substance abuse treatment to unhoused individuals citywide. The unit’s 2025 results to date include:

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550 total engagements with unhoused individuals. 43 successful shelter placements. 72 individuals who have accepted services and begun their journey out of homelessness. 21 Marchman Acts were carried out. 49 Baker Acts were carried out. 142 arrests were effectuated.

Enforcement of the No Camping Ordinance

The Department ramped up efforts between Spring Break and Memorial Day Weekend under the Camp Closed detail which to date has resulted in 88 arrests as part of this new initiative.

MBPD leads all agencies in Miami-Dade County in homeless arrests, accounting for over 98% of all such arrests county-wide (235 out of 240 arrests).

Camping in public spaces is a criminal offense under local ordinance and will continue to be enforced vigorously to maintain public safety, protect shared spaces, and support the overall quality of life in Miami Beach.

Camping Enforcement Task Force Initiative

As directed by the City Commission, to further strengthen enforcement efforts, the Administration has developed a Camping Enforcement Task Force model as delineated below.

Mission and Objectives:

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Ensure consistent, lawful enforcement of the No Camping Ordinance citywide. Intervene to protect this vulnerable population from remaining in dangerous, unhealthy, and unsheltered conditions by encouraging service uptake and connecting individuals with available resources.

Operational Details:

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The Task Force will operate using on-duty Police resources to avoid incurring overtime expenses. Personnel will be redirected from existing specialized units in Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division (CID), and Community Affairs (e.g. NRO), prioritizing this initiative without additional budgetary impact while maintaining overall department readiness. Dedicated Park Rangers will be assigned to focus on identifying situations that require resources or enforcement in the Parks and on the Beachwalk. Housing and Community Services team members will be dedicated to ensure availability of services including shelter placement opportunities, participate in joint missions and provide training on service options.

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The Task Force efforts will result in more joint Homeless Outreach Team missions. By concentrating resources and attention through the multidisciplinary teams, the Administration aims to address the root causes of unlawful camping while improving outcomes for unhoused community members and maintaining public safety.

Limitations and Commitment

While minor offenses may have limited consequences, the Administration will continue enforcement efforts to support public safety and remains committed to addressing homelessness through balanced strategies that include:

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Upholding our No Camping Ordinance to maintain public safety and protect shared spaces. Enforcing the criminal laws of our state, county, and local ordinances when violations occur. Offering services and pathways off the streets whenever appropriate.

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The Administration extends its gratitude to MBPD Patrol Officers, the Homeless Resource Unit, Park Rangers and Case Workers as part of the new Camping Enforcement Task Force for their commitment to this important mission.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The Task Force will operate using on-duty staff resources to avoid incurring overtime expenses. Police personnel will be redirected from existing specialized units in Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division (CID), and Community Affairs (e.g. NRO), prioritizing this initiative without additional budgetary impact while maintaining overall department readiness. Individuals from other Departments will be allocated by reassignment of duties to be able to dedicate resources to this initiative for a specified period of time.

CONCLUSION

Addressing homelessness is a complex, ongoing challenge that requires sustained, collaborative effort. The Administration will continue to prioritize engagement with the homeless community through a multidepartmental approach that includes the Miami Beach Police Department, Housing and Community Services Department, Park Rangers as well as other operational departments actively working throughout the City. We will continue to listen to the community, refine our approach, and work with partners to ensure Miami Beach continues to strike a balance between providing necessary services and enforcing our laws.

Applicable Area

Citywide

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 David Suarez

Co-sponsor(s)

Commissioner Joseph Magazine Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Condensed Title

Create Task Force to Enforce Camping & Other Quality of Life Offenses. (Suarez/Magazine/Fernandez) PD

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)

Deferred on 6/25/2025 - R7 S