Miami Lakes public safety committee hears residents’ complaints about fast e-bikes, approves new PSC logo and small event payments

A public safety committee meeting in Miami Lakes on Tuesday opened with a string of resident complaints about children riding fast electric bikes and unlicensed golf carts on town streets, followed by staff explanations of enforcement limits and several committee votes on branding and small event payments.

Julio Sardinas, a resident who identified himself during the public-comment period, said he had repeatedly encountered groups of children on electric bikes that “took over the road,” sometimes without brake lights and sometimes riding on sidewalks or blocking traffic. “They just took over the road,” he said, adding that he has reported incidents to police non-emergency lines and urged the town to consider ordinances or other measures to improve safety.

Deputy Amador responded to questions from the committee and residents about enforcement, saying officers must witness violations to make a stop and that calls should be routed through official dispatch channels so incidents are recorded. “If it’s an emergency, hang up and call 911,” she said, and added that calls to the non-emergency lines (the police or sheriff dispatch numbers) produce recorded reports that are required for legal follow-up. She recommended videotape or photographic evidence and staying on the line with dispatch so answers to dispatch questions are recorded.

Committee members and residents described multiple near-misses on main arteries including Fairway Drive and portions of Miami Drive. Speakers pressed whether police could issue citations for underage operators or for reckless riding when officers observe it; Deputy Amador said officers can cite when they directly observe illegal conduct but cannot act solely on a complaint without an on-scene observation or recorded evidence.

Beyond enforcement, the committee moved forward on several outreach and operational items. The committee’s graphic designer, Johnny Forest, presented four logo options for the Public Safety Committee. After an elimination process, members approved Option 1 with edits: a Maltese cross in the background, PSC shown in a single blue font, removal of duplicate wording inside the cross and retention of two gold stars. The motion to adopt the edited design passed by roll call.

The committee also approved modest vendor payments for an April 18 “Back to Nature” event that will offer document shredding, battery and appliance recycling and clothing collection. Committee members agreed to front $400 — $200 each for two vendors to cover overtime — with the expectation that neighborhood improvements or other partners would reimburse up to $200. “We’ll front the bill and hope the partner committee picks up their portion,” a member explained during the discussion.

Members voted to replace older red-and-white slow-down yard signs with new yard signs using the approved PSC branding; the production plan discussed earlier (150 signs with stands) will move forward and committee members emphasized coordinating placement with town public-works staff so signs are in permitted town swales and pocket parks rather than nailed to trees.

The committee also set a tentative date for a community swimming-lessons program on Saturday, May 30, aiming for morning sessions and estimating an initial target of about 25–30 children; the committee asked staff and volunteers to coordinate instructors and registration details.

Several members said the committee will supplement enforcement with public education: social-media PSAs, a golf-cart safety video and coordination with schools and the Chamber of Commerce to reach parents. The meeting closed after housekeeping items and scheduling; the committee adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Option 1 PSC logo with edits — approved (roll call); Payment of $200 to ESCrap and $200 to Shred Force for the April 18 event — approved; New PSC yard signs (production plan) — approved; Swimming lessons scheduled for May 30 — approved. All recorded motions passed with no opposition during the meeting.