The City of Miami Commission on July 11 approved a donation of $181,000 by The Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) to the City of Miami Police Department to expand the department’s ongoing security efforts for the 50-block district.
With an estimated 3 million annual visitors, the Wynwood Arts District has transformed into a major international destination and is set to welcome hundreds of new residents in the coming year.
The BID’s donation will allow for the purchase of 48 cameras and two license plate readers to be added to the Miami Police Department’s current security system. This partnership is part of the BID’s work to equip the neighborhood with the tools it needs to continue to evolve as a tourism destination, full-time neighborhood, and a safe place for both visitors and residents.
“As Wynwood continues to grow as a global neighborhood, never before has it been more important to ensure the area is safe and enjoyable for people to visit and call home,” said Manny Gonzalez, executive dsirector, Wynwood BID. “We are committed to working alongside police on its efforts to deter future criminal activity and more quickly solve crime through the use of the new cameras and technology.”
The security equipment will be connected to antennas placed around the district and will share a real-time feed into the Miami Police Department’s closed-circuit television system, aiding law enforcement in tracking and solving crime. License plate readers have been credited with assisting in locating missing persons, fugitives and stolen cars in cities. While crime levels in the district have lowered in the past year, the expanded security system is the next step in the BID’s commitment to improve the quality of life for all in the neighborhood.
“This exciting partnership with the Wynwood BID will allow the Miami Police Department to deploy innovative, potentially life-saving technologies to keep Wynwood’s residents, visitors, and businesses safe,” said Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina. “I would like to humbly thank the Wynwood BID for their generous investment in public safety, which will enhance our agency’s capacity to fight crime while saving taxpayers money.”
Following the Miami Commission’s approval of the donation, the BID will work with city officials to have the cameras and readers installed by the end of the year.
For more information, visit Wynwoodmiami.com.
