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th Avenue. Miami, Florida 33130

Phone (305) 854-5019 Ortiz@fopmiami.com

Javier Ortiz Thomas Reyes PRESIDENT SECRETARY

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Javier Ortiz

Phone: 786-290-1183

November 11, 2015

Miami FOP Lodge# 20 – PSA On Crime In Little Havana & Lack of MPD Resources

On November 11, 2015, the Miami Fraternal Order of Police will begin airing approximately 300

commercials with a public service announcement to inform the public of what the reality is for Miami

Police Officers when dealing with violent crimes. This is the first of many commercials that will begin

targeting specific areas and specific elected officials who are not supporting our police officers. Here is

the link to our first commercial: https://youtu.be/90GNBBRSSfQ

While general crime citywide maybe down in some parts of the City of Miami, there are specific crimes

that have drastically increased. For the size of our police department, we are understaffed and

underpowered. When a 911 call goes out for a drive by shooting, Officers are reluctant to respond due to

the fact that out of approximately 1,000 sworn members, less than 10% have the firepower to counter

these violent suspects. In this commercial that focuses on Little Havana, there are times that there are a

total of five patrol officers on calls for service and no extra patrol officers roving, leaving the entire area

open to tragedy. The police department has no more replacement vehicles for emergency service. Many

of our patrol officers are in ten year old unmarked vehicles with no emergency equipment. The City

Manager will state that they will have more cars sometime in the Spring. Why wasn’t this addressed

before it became an issue when he was told of the shortage two years ago? In the meantime, our

community suffers. Miami Police Officers receive no extra training except what is required by the Florida

Department of Law Enforcement because we have no staffing. This is not the fault of Chief Llanes. This

is the responsibility of our elected officials.

The City Manager has no intention of fulfilling the will of our City Commission. As a matter of fact, he

presented our police officers with a two year contract that asked for more monetary concessions. This is

while he brags of a $140 million dollar reserve and on average, a $40 million dollar surplus every year.

His only tactic is now declaring that revenue streams will decrease. His only answer in getting new

candidate is to continue to take money from our first responders.

A Proud Tradition in Law Enforcement

As shown above, now police officers are being forced to take photographs to entice individuals from the

community to apply at the Miami Police Department. Since this is being revealed to the public, some City

leaders will attempt to retaliate.

The question that every candidate should ask these poor police officers is this:

Is it true that new police officers won’t receive any type of pay increases for their first four

years of service?

Won’t I make a lot more with the Miami-Dade or the Miami Beach Police Department with

their pay and additional incentives (who are currently hiring and the average difference in

pay is about $10,000)?

Is it true that these “cheerful police officers” in the photo that have been hired before 2010

make less now in 2015?

Don’t believe the hype of some of our City leaders. It’s time for the community to wake up and support

their police officers.

Sincerely,

Javier Ortiz

Javier Ortiz, President

Miami Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #20