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Residents press council on 911 response times, school-zone cameras and neighborhood noise
Summary
Multiple residents asked the council to address slow police response times, persistent neighborhood noise and enforcement at problem intersections. Councilwoman Katrina Baskin and Councilwoman Wilson pressed city staff for answers; Vice Mayor Robert Stevens and other officials responded during reports and public comment.
Residents used the public-comment period and council reports to push the City Council for action on police response times, traffic enforcement and late-night noise. Speakers asked the council to improve response times for 911 calls, increase enforcement of traffic controls near schools and address recurring loud gatherings.
Darryl Thomas, a resident who identified himself as living in Miami Gardens, spoke in defense of Chief Delvin Noel Pratt and urged the community to support the police department. "No weapon formed against her shall prosper," Thomas said, adding that Chief Pratt has the respect of her staff and the community.
A different resident, identified in the record as Mr. Tealsdahl, complained of persistent loud gatherings near Topgolf and other locations, saying he often calls police at 1:30 a.m. or 2 a.m. and that the problem had persisted since February. "This cannot continue. ... I wanna sleep this weekend," he told the council.
During council reports, Councilwoman Wilson highlighted repeated calls for service and asked city staff and the manager for a plan: "How can we fix this within the next 30 days?" she asked, citing specific incidents in which residents waited lengthy periods for officers. The city manager and staff acknowledged the concern in subsequent comments and said they will continue to work on response-time data and operational fixes.
The discussion also touched on automated school-zone enforcement cameras. Vice Mayor Robert Stevens addressed concerns that cameras produce revenue rather than safety: "There is a way to not get a $100 ticket, and that is to drive the speed limit. The city is not making money based off cameras throughout the city," he said, urging residents to obey posted limits and to meet with staff if they have questions.
Nut graf: The council heard multiple resident complaints about public safety response and neighborhood enforcement; members pressed staff for follow-up and a clearer operations plan while officials reiterated that documentation and enforcement will be pursued.
Ending: The council did not make a formal policy change at the meeting but staff and several council members said they would follow up on response-time metrics, enforcement practices near schools and noise complaints.
