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Neighbor says police entered gated Fort Lauderdale home, damaged gate; chief pledges follow-up
Summary
A Fort Lauderdale resident said officers entered his gated property Feb. 28 with guns and dogs, broke his gate and left without explanation; the police chief told the commission he will follow up with Risk Management and personally investigate the status of the claim.
Salvador Noriega told the Fort Lauderdale City Commission that police entered his gated home the night of Feb. 28 with guns drawn and dogs, ordered him back inside and damaged his gate and lock while offering no explanation.
Noriega said officers left him a card with a case number and directed him to Risk Management; he later filed a claim with the city after contact from a sergeant. "They didn't give me an explanation, not an apology, nothing," Noriega said, describing the incident as "terrorizing" for him and his dog.
Mayor and commissioners asked staff to follow up. Police Chief Bill Schultz told the commission he did not have details in hand but that the matter is "being researched" and that he would personally follow up with Risk Management and return the resident's information to the department. "I'll be happy to take your information today and I'll personally follow up with risk management to see where we are," Schultz said.
The commission directed the resident to his district commissioner for additional assistance and asked staff to keep the resident updated on the status of any criminal or administrative investigation. No vote or formal action was taken during the conference meeting; the chief said staff would report back to the commission after internal review and coordination with Risk Management.
Next steps: staff said they will follow up with the resident and report back on the criminal-investigation status and the city's claim process.
