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Residents press Cooper City for answers after easement killing of Egyptian geese
Summary
Dozens of Cooper City residents pressed the City Commission during public comment to take immediate action after the December killing of Egyptian geese on a city easement.
Dozens of Cooper City residents pressed the City Commission during public comment to take immediate action after the killing of several Egyptian geese on a city easement in late December. Residents described the scene, urged arrests, and asked the commission to block motorized access to the easement to prevent vehicles such as Polaris UTVs and ATVs from entering sensitive wildlife habitat.
Captain James DiGiovanni of the Broward Sheriff's Office told the commission he shares residents' concerns and that the department's special victims/criminal investigations unit is actively investigating. He said the case is being handled by an experienced detective and encouraged residents to send tips to Broward Crime Stoppers (954-493-TIPS); he confirmed a $5,000 reward was posted to generate leads.
Residents urged immediate transparency about the investigation and expressed frustration with response time to 911 calls on scene. Captain DiGiovanni said a deputy on an unrelated traffic stop was the closest unit and was completing that enforcement when the wildlife call arrived; he said that can lead to triage decisions in the field and he volunteered to meet residents to discuss response details in private so as not to compromise the active case.
Multiple speakers asked the commission to limit vehicle access on the easement at Countryside Shops/Familiar Gardens West, to install cameras and logs to permit pedestrian access only, and to inform residents via city channels. Commissioner Mallozzi asked staff to bring back a sketch and estimated cost for barriers; city manager said staff would prepare a plan and estimate for commission approval.
Commissioners also asked that staff coordinate with Broward County Water Management and South Florida Water Management District if access restrictions could affect maintenance access. City staff and BSO committed to work together and to report back to the commission with options for barricades, signage and enforcement. No arrests or charges were announced at the meeting.
Key next steps include a staff sketch and cost estimate for physical access controls, a follow-up meeting between captain DiGiovanni and residents, and communication from city staff on any interim deterrence measures.
