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Residents press Hallandale Beach for clarity on cemetery hours, maintenance
Summary
Public commenters told the City Commission they were locked out of the municipal cemetery and that posted 'sunrise‑to‑sunset' hours are not being honored; city staff said the operational policy has been to close facilities at dusk and will follow up with residents.
Two residents used the public‑comment period at the Hallandale Beach City Commission meeting to raise separate but related complaints about the municipal cemetery: inconsistent hours and maintenance concerns.
Dahlia Rodriguez, who identified herself as a Hallandale Beach resident, said cemetery signage posts "sunrise to sunset" as visiting hours but staff have been enforcing narrower opening times she described as about 7:30 a.m. to 5:30–6 p.m. She said gate closures have left visitors trapped and asked the commission to direct staff to honor the sunrise‑to‑sunset signage or to bring any change to the commission with proper public notice. "Sunset access matters for religious observations," Rodriguez said, asking the commission to consider reinstating a cemetery advisory committee to provide oversight.
City administration responded that the city follows an existing policy that closes municipal facilities "at dusk." Dr. Jeremy Earl explained that staff interpret the policy operationally to avoid people being in the cemetery after dark. "Dusk begins when it starts to get dark because we don't want anyone in the cemetery after dark," he said.
Resident Mark Breslaw raised separate concerns about persistent street flooding on 14th Avenue and also described problems at the cemetery, including an incident in which he said staff left the gates closed and he had to call police to be let out. He asked the commission for assistance with drainage and cemetery maintenance, and showed photos to the mayor after his comment period.
Vice Mayor Michelle Lazaro urged residents to submit photos and documentation to the commission in advance of meetings so staff can review them and respond more effectively. She reiterated that the city manager handles operational policy until an issue requires commission action and said staff will work with residents to address cemetery accessibility and grounds care.
What happens next: The city manager (Dr. Jeremy Earl) and public‑works officials were asked to follow up with the residents; the commission did not take a formal policy vote on cemetery hours at this meeting.
