Emerald Hill Safety Enhancement District reports no incidents, installs license‑plate readers and asks commission for support on funding options

David Rubin, chair of the Emerald Hill Safety Enhancement District, presented the district’s annual report at the April 2 commission meeting, reporting a year with no major incidents and describing recent public‑safety investments including six license‑plate readers at entry points to the district.

Rubin said the district has rotated leadership roles, recruited a new member and tailored patrol timing with Hollywood Police Department support. He told the commission the security detail costs have doubled since the district formed and revenues have not kept pace, prompting the board to consider asking property owners whether they want to increase the annual assessment or extend the district’s sunset date.

Why it matters: The district is a small geographic area of roughly 520 homes that funds supplemental safety measures; changes to the assessment or extension require homeowner approval and, in the case of an increase, an ordinance change and a measured outreach/polling process.

Key points from the presentation

- Safety outcomes and technology: "We actually had a very good year. When I say a good year, that means we had no incidents in our district," Rubin said, and he credited the Hollywood Police Department for partnering on timing and access to analytics from license‑plate readers. - Budget pressure: Rubin said the cost of off‑duty security details has roughly doubled since he joined the board; he discussed the possibility of a fee increase and noted the district’s revenue is finite (Rubin and staff estimated the district’s annual revenue in the low six figures, roughly $130,000). - Polling and process: The board and commission discussed the need for a formal poll of homeowners before altering assessments; Rubin said a mail‑back poll the board used previously cost roughly $10,000, and commissioners suggested identifying lower‑cost outreach options (email from utility billing, targeted canvassing) and potential grant avenues.

Commission reaction and staff guidance

Commissioners praised the district’s results and encouraged the board to pursue targeted communications and to coordinate with city staff on grant opportunities and legal steps. City staff and the city attorney said dependent districts cannot independently apply for grants—grants must be submitted through the city—so the board should work with city staff on applications. Commissioners encouraged the board to identify a low‑cost sample or digital outreach strategy and said members of the commission could help canvass the neighborhood to gauge appetite before committing funds for a city‑run poll.

Clarifying details captured

- District size: ~520 homes (reported by board/commission discussion). - Technology: Six license‑plate readers installed at ingress points; data access available to Hollywood Police Department analytics. - Polling cost: Historic mail‑back poll previously cost about $10,000; board members and commissioners discussed alternatives (utility billing emails, door‑to‑door canvass, combined outreach with civic associations).

Provenance (transcript excerpts)

- topicintro excerpt: "Hello, everyone. I'm here to present the, Emerald Social Safety Enhancement District, annual report. We actually had a very good year..." (David Rubin remarks introducing report). - topicfinish excerpt: "We actually haven't discussed that, and I'll bring that back to the board for further discussion about it." (Board response to pedestrian safety question and closing comments.)