01:19:45The “Lock It or Lose It” campaign emerged as a focal point of the meeting, responding to recent theft incidents within the community. The council underscored the urgency of launching this initiative to deter thefts, particularly as summer approaches and young people become more active around the neighborhood. The council agreed to leverage social media platforms and local advertising through the Miami Laker publication to promote the campaign. A specific council member took responsibility for driving this initiative forward, proposing a motion to kickstart the campaign, which was unanimously approved.

Social media, especially Instagram, was identified as the fastest way to disseminate the campaign’s message. The communications department was tasked with creating visuals, and a pre-designed flyer was mentioned as ready for minor adjustments to align with the campaign. A debate unfolded on whether to use multiple smaller ads or a single larger ad in the Miami Laker, with considerations of cost and visibility influencing the decision. Ultimately, the council agreed to begin with social media outreach, with traditional print ads to be considered based on initial feedback.

57:24In addition to the theft prevention campaign, the council discussed the logistics of the upcoming car show event, originally scheduled for October 11, later changed due to a conflict with Columbus weekend. Concerns were raised about potential attendance issues due to travel plans and ongoing parking lot renovations on Main Street. Given these uncertainties, the council decided to allow flexibility in deciding the venue based on available resources and input from the grounds team without requiring further council votes.

13:18Community safety remained a priority, with discussions about hosting a “coffee with medic” event at a local fire station. This initiative aimed to enhance residents’ interaction with firefighters and improve fire safety awareness. Concerns about parking and turnout were addressed, with suggestions to hold the event on a Saturday to attract more visitors. A motion was passed to involve Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in various safety initiatives, including school zone safety and elderly safety.

01:36:06Budget allocations also featured prominently. The council approved a motion for the fiscal year 2025-2026, allocating a total of $6,000, with $5,000 dedicated to an initiative called “aware” and $1,000 for educational materials. Additionally, funds were reallocated from the breakfast police appreciation initiative to support the “aware” campaign and educational materials. The council aimed to ensure financial resources were directed to priorities that enhance community safety and engagement.

01:56:05Further, the council addressed the importance of updating the Public Safety Committee’s webpage to reflect ongoing initiatives and avoid outdated information. A member was nominated to lead this effort, with the expectation that all members would contribute ideas for improvement. The council also revisited the topic of golf cart safety, emphasizing the necessity of mandatory seat belt usage and exploring options to promote safety awareness through social media.