Public Safety & Sustainable Tourism
The first and most important responsibility of government is public safety. Residents and visitors should be safe. We’ve lost some ground on this issue over the past few years. Two mega trends are making life in Miami Beach stressful and overwhelming for residents, our city employees and police department.
1) Popular Destinations Crack Down on High Impact Periods.
Panama City Beach recently passed a host of new ordinances just for spring break during the month of March. According to Panama City Beach Mayor Mike Thomas, "We don't have spring break anymore. We are out of the spring break business, it shined a bad light on our community." Additionally, the U.S. State Department issued travel advisories for the Bahamas and Mexico and hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, resulting in the number of spring break visitors in Miami Beach increasing dramatically in 2018 and growing another 30% in 2019.
2) Mass Tourism, unsustainable growth in international tourist arrivals. Amsterdam, Venice, Barcelona and Miami Beach. The world's greatest cities and their residents are struggling with over-tourism. The numbers are staggering:
1950 -- 25 Million
1980 -- 278 Million
1995 -- 527 Million
2017 -- 1.3 Billion
2030 -- 1.8 Billion *Projected
--CNN Venice
"Facing increasing headlines over badly behaved tourists, the Venetian authorities have come up with several measures to control the tourism that risks destroying the city. It consumes the city and leaves nothing behind, he says. We want a better kind of tourism that brings money directly to residents."
--CNN Barcelona
"We accept that tourism is here to stay, and the industry will continue to grow around the world," he tells CNN. This isn't something we can stop, but Barcelona is looking for a different kind of tourism -- more quality but at the same time sustainable." *Tourist numbers in Barcelona have quadrupled in a decade.
--Guardian Amsterdam
"Amsterdam has no illusions, however, that its programme will reduce the number of tourists visiting the city – or even significantly slow a rate of growth due to bring 40 million visitors a year to the Netherlands by 2030." *Currently: Amsterdam visitor numbers have doubled in the last 20 years to 20M.
--Guardian Prague
"The sheer numbers drawn by the beautiful but relatively small medieval old town – encompassing Prague castle, the 600-year-old Charles bridge and a maze of ancient cobbled streets – has put a strain on resources and quality of life that many long-established residents find intolerable."
The first and most important responsibility of government is public safety. Residents and visitors should be safe. We’ve lost some ground on this issue over the past few years. Two mega trends are making life in Miami Beach stressful and overwhelming for residents, our city employees and police department.
1) Popular Destinations Crack Down on High Impact Periods.
Panama City Beach recently passed a host of new ordinances just for spring break during the month of March. According to Panama City Beach Mayor Mike Thomas, "We don't have spring break anymore. We are out of the spring break business, it shined a bad light on our community." Additionally, the U.S. State Department issued travel advisories for the Bahamas and Mexico and hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, resulting in the number of spring break visitors in Miami Beach increasing dramatically in 2018 and growing another 30% in 2019.
2) Mass Tourism, unsustainable growth in international tourist arrivals. Amsterdam, Venice, Barcelona and Miami Beach. The world's greatest cities and their residents are struggling with over-tourism. The numbers are staggering:
1950 -- 25 Million
1980 -- 278 Million
1995 -- 527 Million
2017 -- 1.3 Billion
2030 -- 1.8 Billion *Projected
--CNN Venice
"Facing increasing headlines over badly behaved tourists, the Venetian authorities have come up with several measures to control the tourism that risks destroying the city. It consumes the city and leaves nothing behind, he says. We want a better kind of tourism that brings money directly to residents."
--CNN Barcelona
"We accept that tourism is here to stay, and the industry will continue to grow around the world," he tells CNN. This isn't something we can stop, but Barcelona is looking for a different kind of tourism -- more quality but at the same time sustainable." *Tourist numbers in Barcelona have quadrupled in a decade.
--Guardian Amsterdam
"Amsterdam has no illusions, however, that its programme will reduce the number of tourists visiting the city – or even significantly slow a rate of growth due to bring 40 million visitors a year to the Netherlands by 2030." *Currently: Amsterdam visitor numbers have doubled in the last 20 years to 20M.
--Guardian Prague
"The sheer numbers drawn by the beautiful but relatively small medieval old town – encompassing Prague castle, the 600-year-old Charles bridge and a maze of ancient cobbled streets – has put a strain on resources and quality of life that many long-established residents find intolerable."
Click the image below to read my Op-Ed published in the Miami Herald
Unedited text of my Op-Ed published in the Miami Herald shown below
Noise Nuisances
Enhance moving vehicle noise restrictions. We're experiencing an explosion of mobile noise in our City. We need better enforcement of existing ordinances and more restrictions related to extreme after market exhaust systems on performance autos (100+ decibels!), open air topless slingshot vehicles, golf cars and pedal-powered mobile bars. Rolling parties, cruising in loud, open air vehicles are a threat to our community quality of life.
Implement a decibel-based noise ordinance. Most residents are surprised to learn that we don't have a decibel-based noise ordinance in Miami Beach. Our noise ordinance is confusing and outdated -- written for a different time and different circumstances vs. the challenges we face in 2021. Over the past several years and throughout my service on the Miami Beach Planning Board and neighborhood association boards, I've researched and studied noise ordinances across the United States. The overwhelming majority of municipal noise ordinances are based on dBA benchmarks. Decibel meters are readily available and can be downloaded free to any smartphone. Decibel-based noise ordinances are easy to understand and simple to enforce.
Excerpts from San Antonio's noise ordinance are shown below (*one example, there are hundreds of success stories in other cities). The phrases "property under separate ownership" and "real property boundary" combined with decibel benchmarks are particularly interesting and relevant.
Excerpts from San Antonio's Noise Ordinance
"At anytime such that the sound level at or across a real property boundary exceeds 80dBA."
"The following acts, among others not hereinafter enumerated, are declared to be "noise nuisances," and are unlawful and in violation of the provisions of this division when such acts are done or accomplished or carried on in such a manner, or with such volume, intensity, or with continued duration, so as to annoy, to distress, or to disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of any person of reasonable nervous sensibilities within the vicinity or hearing thereof, or so as to endanger or injure the safety or health of humans or animals, or so as to interfere with the physical well being of humans or animals, or so as to endanger or injure personal or real property:"
(1) The playing or permitting or causing the playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, juke box, nickelodeon, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound.
(4) The continued or frequent sounding of any horn or other signal device on any automobile or vehicle, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle,
except as a danger signal.
(5) The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, automobile, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle or boat, except through a muffler or other device which prevents loud or explosive noises therefrom.
(8) The raucous shouting, whistling, yelling, singing, hooting, or crying of peddlers, hawkers, vendors or any other persons.
(10) The making of noise which exceeds seventy (70) decibels on business zoned property as defined by City Code Chapter 35 (Unified Development Code), when measured from property under separate ownership.
(12) The making of noise which exceeds 85 decibels using the Leq method of noise measure for noise emanating from entertainment zoned property as defined by City Code Chapter 35 (Unified Development Code), when measured from property under separate ownership. Any adjacent property owned, leased, controlled or managed by any person or entity or any affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or shares common control with the other entity that has an ownership interest or lease interest in the monitored property shall not be considered property under separate ownership for purposes of determining the boundaries of the noise source property in an entertainment district.
Zoning Improvements
Overconcentration of Certain Business Types. After Florida voters legalized medical marijuana in 2016, the Planning Board and City Commission worked diligently for months to create municipal ordinances related to marijuana dispensaries, a new business type. Various issues were carefully considered, including where, how many, and the distance between each marijuana dispensary. With no historical data as a guide, overconcentration of marijuana dispensaries was a primary concern.
Throughout history, overconcentration of several business types is known to attract criminal activity (list below). Communities across the United States use their zoning code to protect the public from an overconcentration of certain business types.
My recent survey of the Ocean Drive district:
25 -- Liquor Stores (*includes food and convenience stores selling liquor, beer, and wine)
12 -- Tattoo Parlors
12 -- Vaping and Tobacco Shops
6 -- Pay-as-you-go Phone Sales
4 -- Adult Businesses
3 -- Check Cashing Services
2 -- Pawn Shops
2 -- payday loan stores
0 -- bail bonds
0 -- cash-for-gold establishments
0 -- firearm sales
I support a new zoning overlay for the Ocean Drive district to resolve the overconcentration of business types which are known to attract crime.
Overconcentration of Certain Business Types. After Florida voters legalized medical marijuana in 2016, the Planning Board and City Commission worked diligently for months to create municipal ordinances related to marijuana dispensaries, a new business type. Various issues were carefully considered, including where, how many, and the distance between each marijuana dispensary. With no historical data as a guide, overconcentration of marijuana dispensaries was a primary concern.
Throughout history, overconcentration of several business types is known to attract criminal activity (list below). Communities across the United States use their zoning code to protect the public from an overconcentration of certain business types.
My recent survey of the Ocean Drive district:
25 -- Liquor Stores (*includes food and convenience stores selling liquor, beer, and wine)
12 -- Tattoo Parlors
12 -- Vaping and Tobacco Shops
6 -- Pay-as-you-go Phone Sales
4 -- Adult Businesses
3 -- Check Cashing Services
2 -- Pawn Shops
2 -- payday loan stores
0 -- bail bonds
0 -- cash-for-gold establishments
0 -- firearm sales
I support a new zoning overlay for the Ocean Drive district to resolve the overconcentration of business types which are known to attract crime.
92,000
Residents
8,000,000
Overnight Visitors
415
Police Officers
Residents
8,000,000
Overnight Visitors
415
Police Officers
Emphasize 24/7/365 community policing. We need policies focused on maintaining the safety of residents and guests that are consistent throughout the year. We’ll need more resources during busy periods, but our policy should be clear and consistent -- strict enforcement of the law and quality of life violations.
Enforce our city ordinances, big and small. Enforcement of our city code related to noise, open alcohol containers, public intoxication, drug dealing, reckless scooter operation and drag racing, and aggressive street vending is fundamental to our quality of life. We must end the perception that “anything goes” in Miami Beach.
Increase the size of our police force. Ensure there’s a “police officer on every block” of Ocean Drive after dark. My vision: police officers walking, biking and riding Segways -- visible, accessible and working in our community to help solve community problems.
Dedicated traffic unit. We need a dedicated traffic unit and more police officers focused on managing traffic during rush hour blockages and busy periods – and improving pedestrian comfort and safety by enforcing speed limits, stop signs and traffic laws.
Better Lighting. This common-sense idea is long overdue. If you speak with police officers who work in the Ocean Drive district, they will mention the need for more and better lighting. Criminal activity flourishes in the dark. Enhanced lighting is urgently needed on Washington Ave., Collins Ct., Collins Ave. and Ocean Ct.
Enforce our city ordinances, big and small. Enforcement of our city code related to noise, open alcohol containers, public intoxication, drug dealing, reckless scooter operation and drag racing, and aggressive street vending is fundamental to our quality of life. We must end the perception that “anything goes” in Miami Beach.
Increase the size of our police force. Ensure there’s a “police officer on every block” of Ocean Drive after dark. My vision: police officers walking, biking and riding Segways -- visible, accessible and working in our community to help solve community problems.
Dedicated traffic unit. We need a dedicated traffic unit and more police officers focused on managing traffic during rush hour blockages and busy periods – and improving pedestrian comfort and safety by enforcing speed limits, stop signs and traffic laws.
Better Lighting. This common-sense idea is long overdue. If you speak with police officers who work in the Ocean Drive district, they will mention the need for more and better lighting. Criminal activity flourishes in the dark. Enhanced lighting is urgently needed on Washington Ave., Collins Ct., Collins Ave. and Ocean Ct.
Year Round Programming. Building on the success of the Air and Sea Show, the government must lead and be proactive with event programming in the Ocean Drive district. Programming that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Miami Beach should be considered year-round and include something for everyone, including residents, families, and visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
March is one of the best months of the year in Miami Beach, unfortunately, ruined by rowdy lawbreakers over the past few years. It's time to shift our focus to "March" programming and away from "Spring Break" programming. Following Panama City's lead (quote above), we should get "out of the Spring Break business."
March is one of the best months of the year in Miami Beach, unfortunately, ruined by rowdy lawbreakers over the past few years. It's time to shift our focus to "March" programming and away from "Spring Break" programming. Following Panama City's lead (quote above), we should get "out of the Spring Break business."