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
PRESIDENT

Thomas Reyes
SECRETARY

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Javier Ortiz
Phone: 786-290-1183
November 11, 2015
Miami FOP Lodge# 20 PSA On Crime In Little Havana & Lack of MPD Resources

On November 11, 2015, the Miami Fraternal Order of Police will begin airing approximately 300
commercials with a public service announcement to inform the public of what the reality is for Miami
Police Officers when dealing with violent crimes. This is the first of many commercials that will begin
targeting specific areas and specific elected officials who are not supporting our police officers. Here is
the link to our first commercial: https://youtu.be/90GNBBRSSfQ
While general crime citywide maybe down in some parts of the City of Miami, there are specific crimes
that have drastically increased. For the size of our police department, we are understaffed and
underpowered. When a 911 call goes out for a drive by shooting, Officers are reluctant to respond due to
the fact that out of approximately 1,000 sworn members, less than 10% have the firepower to counter
these violent suspects. In this commercial that focuses on Little Havana, there are times that there are a
total of five patrol officers on calls for service and no extra patrol officers roving, leaving the entire area
open to tragedy. The police department has no more replacement vehicles for emergency service. Many
of our patrol officers are in ten year old unmarked vehicles with no emergency equipment. The City
Manager will state that they will have more cars sometime in the Spring. Why wasnt this addressed
before it became an issue when he was told of the shortage two years ago? In the meantime, our
community suffers. Miami Police Officers receive no extra training except what is required by the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement because we have no staffing. This is not the fault of Chief Llanes. This
is the responsibility of our elected officials.
The City Manager has no intention of fulfilling the will of our City Commission. As a matter of fact, he
presented our police officers with a two year contract that asked for more monetary concessions. This is
while he brags of a $140 million dollar reserve and on average, a $40 million dollar surplus every year.
His only tactic is now declaring that revenue streams will decrease. His only answer in getting new
candidate is to continue to take money from our first responders.

As shown above, now police officers are being forced to take photographs to entice individuals from the
community to apply at the Miami Police Department. Since this is being revealed to the public, some City
leaders will attempt to retaliate.
The question that every candidate should ask these poor police officers is this:

Is it true that new police officers wont receive any type of pay increases for their first four
years of service?
Wont I make a lot more with the Miami-Dade or the Miami Beach Police Department with
their pay and additional incentives (who are currently hiring and the average difference in
pay is about $10,000)?
Is it true that these cheerful police officers in the photo that have been hired before 2010
make less now in 2015?

Dont believe the hype of some of our City leaders. Its time for the community to wake up and support
their police officers.
Sincerely,

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

A Proud Tradition in Law Enforcement