Citizens and Officers work hand in hand to combat crime.

By Corporal Brian Schnell
Public Information Officer

You probably have noticed a repetitive message in my writings, encouraging citizens of Sunny Isles Beach to act with vigilance during these difficult times.  I often have said that the combination of a vigilant public and a well prepared police agency make for a dynamic force to combat or even repel the criminal element.  Recent events, here in Sunny Isles Beach, have shown that this approach works.

Some of these incidents I have already written about, but others I have not.  In February, of this year, an elderly woman was attacked by two “would-be” robbers in broad day light, on Collins Avenue.  These transient criminals thought she was an “easy target”, but they were sadly mistaken.   Several vigilant citizens rushed to her aid, and even followed the suspects until police were able to catch up to them and take them into custody.  They now will pay for their acts, thanks to those citizens.

In March another criminal was captured thanks to an alert citizen.  Again it was the middle of the day when a resident of Golden Shores noticed something out of the ordinary.  She heard the sound of glass breaking and saw a strange man climbing through the front window of her neighbor’s home.  She watched the suspect from a distance, and called police.  Within moments, Police Officers and K-9 units took the burglar into custody without incident.  When I later thanked her for getting involved, she said “I’m just being a good neighbor”.  That is such a simple sentence, with such a profound meaning. 

Several months later, an alert security officer noticed a strange man trying to kick start a motor scooter inside the parking garage of a local condominium.  The security officer maintained visual contact with the suspect and called police.  Since he was unarmed, the security officer wisely became a valuable witness, and forwarded important information to the police dispatcher, rather than risking his own safety.  Within moments, Police Officers arrived and the suspect was arrested, without incident, for attempting to steal the scooter.

Most recently, a trio of juveniles decided to come to Sunny Isles Beach to commit a series of senseless crimes.  They drove to the Golden Shores area and spray painted graffiti all over the cars of several residents and then de-faced a city sign at Golden Shores Park.  Not only were the residents of Golden Shores outraged, but so were police.  Thanks to a very vigilant resident, the trio of  thugs were captured on home security surveillance committing their crimes.  Before I could get the video out to local media, the group returned to Sunny Isles Beach to continue their reckless behavior.  Thanks to another vigilant citizen, their goal was not successful!  A young lady out for an evening jog noticed the subjects driving around the area, and she just didn’t think they were acting right so she called police.  Within seconds the group was located and captured by members of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department.   Thanks to the vigilance of two everyday citizens of the Golden Shores community, these three delinquents will pay for their acts and, thanks to local media coverage, a clear message was sent to any other would be criminals.  That message:  “Not Here!  Not in Sunny Isles Beach!”

These are just a few examples of the great work the partnership, between citizens and the police department, have produced.  Let’s keep working hard, together, to keep Sunny Isles Beach a safe, beautiful place to live, work and play.  Just remember, being vigilant does not mean being a “vigilante”.  We will always prefer you to be a great witness and watch from afar rather than jeopardizing your own safety in an attempt to stop a criminal.  Be vigilant!  Be smart!  Be safe!