The West District Police Station, formerly the “Hammocks” District Station, is critically understaffed.
To determine the true scope of the deficiency, I recently asked Mayor Carlos Giminez for information on current police staffing levels and the deployment of additional officers included in this year’s County budget. Anecdotal evidence of the deficiency has been present for some time but data included in the Mayor’s response memorandum proves what we’ve suspected – the West End needs more police officers!
The need for additional officers in the West End is staggering. The West End has experienced tremendous population growth in recent years but police staffing levels in the area have not been adjusted to meet the substantial need created by such growth. With 329,656 residents, the West District service areas grown to become nearly twice the size of any other police district in Miami-Dade County and yet the District has less budgeted officers than districts half its size.
Countywide, there is an average of one officer for every 893 residents but officers in the West District are responsible for the safety of more than twice that amount – one officer for every 1852 residents. This is nearly twice the ratio of any other district and nearly four times the ratio in the Northside District. While the ratio of officers to residents is critical, call volume, crime rate and response times also factor into police staffing decisions. Accounting for these factors further demonstrates the need for additional officers. The West District has the second highest call volume and the third highest crime rate in the County; response times have increased nearly ten percent since 2014 and the attrition rate will soon be increasing with the pending retirement of a substantial portion of senior officers.
The Miami Dade Police Department (MDPD) plans to add 125 additional police officers this year to address staffing deficiencies countywide.
According to the memorandum from Mayor Giminez, “MDPD is keenly aware of the population growth” and “intends to address those needs.” But based on the severity of the deficit and the woeful inadequacy of the planned response, the Mayor’s awareness of the situation is anything but keen. While the possible addition of police officers is encouraging, the West District would need to add 105 additional officers simply to bring the ratio up to par with the next closest police district.
Miami-Dade citizens deserve the security and peace of mind that an adequately-staffed police force provides, and at this time, police staffing levels in the West End are inadequate, reckless and unacceptable. Every public official has a solemn duty to provide their residents a safe place to live, work and raise their children.
I’m calling on the County and its police director to fulfill that duty and address this situation immediately.
Juan Zapata is a Miami-Dade County Commissioner in District 11 and may be reached at 305-375-5511 or at Zapata@miamidade.gov.
