Miami Beach Approves City Cops In Schools

MIAMI BEACH, FL — In the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, Miami Beach has become the first city in Miami-Dade County to authorize local police to be placed in city schools. City commissioners approved an agreement at Wednesday's commission meeting. The move was heralded by Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, who attended the meeting.

“It is our hope that dedicated law enforcement will be integrated into the fabric of the
school community, and be a positive, reassuring force for our youth,” explained Miami Beach Mayor Dan
Gelber. “We look forward to protecting the sanctity of our local public schools through
this partnership.”

Carvalho called the arrangement a "significant commitment to protect our children by unanimously approving to provide police officers for the city's elementary schools."

He added that the agreement builds on a long-standing partnership with Miami Beach. Miami Beach hosted a massive March for Our Lives event that drew thousands of participants dressed in white.

"The City of Miami Beach will be fully funding the cost of officers," according to city officials. They are intended to serve as a visible deterrent in addition to the efforts of Miami-Dade Schools Police, which has already assigned officers to traditional middle and senior high schools.

The county plans to hire additional school resource officers and will continue to conduct random metal detection and K-9 sweeps in schools and at school-sponsored events. Officials are using enhanced video surveillance and specialized software to detect threats on social media. The threats are then investigated by detectives 24 hours a day.

Moreover, the school district has already introduced a number of safety enhancements since the Parkland tragedy, including threat assessments, mandatory ID use, reduced entry points and ordering classroom doors to be locked at all times.

The following schools will receive Miami Beach officers:

• South Pointe Elementary
• Fienberg Fisher K-8, North Beach Elementary
• Biscayne Elementary
• Nautilus Middle School
• Miami Beach Senior High School.

“School-based law enforcement officers are invaluable to the school community," said Carvalho. “School and student engagement with police departments facilitate problem-solving, crime prevention and critical dialogue related to appropriate student behaviors and to campus security and safety."

The superintendent noted that similar agreements are being finalized with other local municipalities in the county. He anticipates additional agreements to be announced in coming weeks.

Miami-Dade County School Board Vice Chair Dr. Martin Karp said officials have seen an uptick in community cooperation regarding school safety.

"Now, more than ever, when students, teachers and parents are privy to information they are quick to share with us, which helps our district tremendously,” added Karp.

Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho shakes hands with Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. Photo courtesy Miami-Dade County Public Schools.