MIAMI LODGE

F R A T E R N A L thO R D E R O F P O L I C E
710 Southwest 12 Avenue. Miami, Florida 33130
Phone (305) 854-5019
Ortiz@fopmiami.com

Javier Ortiz

Thomas Reyes

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Javier Ortiz
Phone: 786-290-1183
October 28, 2015
Re: The Miami Herald, Fabiola Santiago: Bullets and cranes aimed at East Little Havana
El Nuevo Herald, Brenda Medina: Dramatica balacera estremece a La Puquena Havana
Dear Ms. Santiago and Ms. Medina,
While reading your stories on the drive-by shootings in Little Havana, I came to the conclusion that is
very sad for everyone involved: No one is taking responsibility in protecting our residents.
Time and time again, our elected officials as well as the City Manager either state there isnt a problem or
that it isnt as bad as the media reports. The voices of those that live in these crime ridden neighborhoods
are trumped by what the city considers more important priorities such as construction projects or a new
community center. To combat crime, there must me a multi-facet approach. It takes our stakeholders as
well as a proper police response to make our city safe for people to work, play and live. Dont blame the
Police Chief or demand answers from him. He isnt in control of what funding the police department
receives. That is the responsibility of the City Manager.
The fact of the matter is the Miami Police Department is outgunned and understaffed. Our police officers
make less now than they did in 2010. Your article quotes a drive by shooting in which more than twenty
shots were fired. If you were a Miami Police Officer that isnt supported by our elected leaders and you
didnt have a rifle to properly defend yourself and the residents from a suspect with a fully automatic
assault rifle, what would you do? The answer: Drive the speed limit and write another incident report
while the bodies hit the floor.
Our police officers arent focused on fighting crime. Theyre too busy trying to see how they are going to
make ends meet whether its signing up for another off duty job or looking to work for another police
department that will give them the proper equipment and a reasonable wage to support their families.
Some will say this is just an attempt by the police union to muscle a better contract. The elected officials
will say we have gotten raises. The question to ask is: Do our police officers with an average of ten years
with the Miami Police Department make more than they did five years ago? Are we competitive with
other departments? The answer is no. Police Officers with five years on the department havent gotten a
step raise in four years.

While our city officials pretend that our police officers are being given the proper support in equipment,
training and wages to support their families, our community will continue to suffer. So when the next
drive by shooting call goes out, remember what the typical Miami Police response will be: Drive the
speed limit and write the incident report.
The City of Miami does not care about its police officers.
Fraternally,

Javier Ortiz
Lieutenant Javier Ortiz, President
Miami Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #20

In regards to the media reports referenced, they can be reviewed at:

http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/sur-de-la-florida/article41645157.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/fabiola-santiago/article41615127.html

A Proud Tradition in Law Enforcement