Major Victor (Carlos) Gonzalez, Miami Lakes Police Major, told the Town Council at its October meeting that he plans to retire in April, and that he will begin using vacation in January. Gonzalez gave the council a September monthly report showing year-to-date reductions in several crime categories.

Gonzalez said the department is “down 50% on robberies, 49% on auto thefts, 75% on commercial burglaries and 80% on residential burglaries” compared with last year, adding that thefts were down 63% and the overall reduction was about 57% year-to-date. He credited traffic enforcement and high-visibility nighttime patrols for helping close cases and lower crime, and thanked the Public Safety Committee for recent community events.

The council responded by thanking Gonzalez for his service. Several council members — including Mayor Dieguez, Vice Mayor Moreira and Councilmembers Fernandez, Sanchez, Garcia and Herzberg — praised Gonzalez’s leadership, said residents had noticed increased nighttime visibility and expressed confidence in the department’s lieutenant, whom Gonzalez endorsed as his successor. Gonzalez said the lieutenant has his “full confidence and endorsement.”

Gonzalez urged continued community cooperation and said the department will continue initiatives that have reduced crime. The council did not vote on a successor; Gonzalez said he will remain in the major’s seat through April and that the lieutenant will continue day-to-day operations.

Ending: Gonzalez’s announcement gives the town months to manage leadership transition. Council members encouraged the community to recognize Gonzalez’s tenure and watch for a formal personnel process for succession in the coming months.