Miami Beach Police Department

July 2017

MBPD Newsletter

Prepare Your Family for a Disaster Plan Ahead

Because your family may not be together when a disaster strikes it is important to create a plan in advance. It is also essential to have a disaster supplies kit that includes basic items from your home that you may need in case of emergency. Your plan should include: How you will get to a safe place How you will contact each other How you will get back together What you will do in different situations Start preparing for an emergency or disaster before anything happens. You should find reliable information sources, warning systems and alert systems in advance. Family communication is very important.  Meet with family members and consider both people and pets.  We recommend using our family emergency plan resource, which collects all vital information in one place in wallet-size cards you can carry with you.  It is also critical to check to determine school and workplace plans so you know how to communicate with family members who may be in school or at work best when an emergency hits. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.  A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items you may need in the event of an emergency. Assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency so you can survive on your own after an emergency.   DHS/FEMA provides a guide to prepare your kit, which can be tailored to meet the needs of individual family health and related concerns.  One key: store food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. Although local officials and relief workers will be around after a disaster, they cannot reach everyone immediately. Your help may arrive in hours or it might take days. Electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages. Basic Disaster Supplies Kit A basic emergency supply kit should include the following recommended items: Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both Flashlight and extra batteries First aid kit Whistle to signal for help Dust mask to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Manual can opener for food Local maps Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger Recommended Supplies List (PDF) Additional Emergency Supplies Once you have gathered the supplies for a basic emergency kit, you may want to consider adding the following items: Prescription medications and glasses Infant formula and diapers Pet food and extra water for your pet Cash or traveler's checks and change Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - EFFAK (PDF - 977Kb) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or free information from this web site (See Publications) Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – when diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners Fire extinguisher Matches in a waterproof container Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils Paper and pencil Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children First Aid Kit In any emergency a family member or you may suffer an injury. If you have these basic first aid supplies you are better prepared to help your loved ones when they are hurt. Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in an emergency. You may consider taking a first aid class, but simply having the following things can help you stop bleeding, prevent infection and assist in decontamination: Two pairs of latex or other sterile gloves if you are allergic to latex Sterile dressings to stop bleeding Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes Antibiotic ointment Burn ointment Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant Thermometer Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies Non-prescription drugs: Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever Anti-diarrhea medication Antacid Laxative Other first aid supplies: Scissors Tweezers Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant Make an Emergency Plan Prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan. Download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids (PDF - 1.2 Mb), print the pages and fill them in offline. Your emergency planning should also address the care of pets, aiding family members with access and functional needs and safely shutting off utilities. For more information click here.  To become aware of warning systems and signals watch the video below or click here.

Set Up Your Medical ID It Can Save Your Life

Set up your Medical ID in the Health app on your iPhone Use Medical ID to save your important health information. Medical ID helps first responders access your critical medical information from the Lock screen, without needing your passcode.   Your Medical ID provides medical information about you that may be important in an emergency, like allergies and medical conditions as well as who to contact in case of an emergency. You can create your Medical ID in the Health app that can be accessed without unlocking your iPhone. Set up your Medical IDTo make your important health information accessible in case of an emergency, follow the steps below: Create your Medical ID: Open Health and tap Medical ID > Edit.  Enter your emergency contacts and health information like your birth date, height, and blood type. Turn on Show When Locked to make your Medical ID available from the Lock screen. In an emergency, this gives people who want to help some important information, like the emergency contacts that you've entered. When you're finished, tap Done. Make an emergency call and access Medical IDIf an iPhone has a Medical ID, you can view emergency medical information on the device or make an emergency call. To view the Medical ID, open the Health app and tap Medical ID. If the iPhone is locked, follow these steps: Press the Home button. Tap Emergency. On the Emergency call screen, you can make a call or tap Medical ID to see emergency medical information stored on the device.

Officer of the Month Congratulations to Officer Tino Serrano who was awarded Officer of the Month for May 2017.

Civilian of the Month Congratulations to P.S.S. Ned Hanna who was awarded Civilian of the Month for May 2017.

Detective of the Month Congratulations to Detective Richard Corton who was awarded Detective of the Month for May 2017.

MBPD Testing Your Knowledge When walking to your car, what should you always carry in case you need a weapon or diversion? Your wallet Select Your driver's license Select Your keys Select Your cellphone Select Which of these techniques are suggested target hardening ideas? Having thorny bushes growing up to, but not covering any windows Select Having peep holes on all entry doors Select Having an alarm system Select All of the above Select Answers The answer is: Your keys When walking to your car, even in your driveway, you should always have your keys in your hand, in case you need a diversion or a weapon.  All of the above "Target Hardening" is a way of making your house an undesirable option for criminals. Such a tactic reduces vulnerabilities to your home, even in the absence of identified threats.  Other target hardening tactics include:1.  Post signage that your home is guarded via a reputable alarm company. If a criminal sees that your home is alarmed and the one next door is not, they are more likely to hit the home that is not alarmed. 2.  Ensure that the exterior of your home is well illuminated, especially at night. Lighting should illuminate the exterior property and not necessarily the home in isolation. 3.  Ensure that possible entry points into your home (doors and windows) are not hidden from view via fencing or shrubbery.

Crime Tip Jogging Safety

Jogging Safety Many joggers think that because they do not carry large sums of money with them as they jog, they are not likely candidates for an attack. Unfortunately, that’s not true. When running, you should always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself. It’s easy to become so focused on your run that you stop paying attention to what’s happening around you. When you’re preoccupied, you make yourself an easy target for an attacker or thief. Follow these tips for ensuring that your jogs are rewarding and safe: Recruit a friend. Runners in pairs or groups are less appealing targets. Jog in a familiar area but vary your routes. Changing the route you take will prevent someone from noting your schedule or movements. Avoid jogging in secluded areas or at night. If you do run after dark, do so in well-lit and populated areas and consider buying reflective running gear or a runner’s light so that you’re highly visible to traffic. Face oncoming traffic. Carry your phone and your ID. If you suspect you’re being followed, call the police immediately and find a safe place to wait for them to arrive. Wear bright colored clothing to improve your visibility. Carry a whistle or shrill alarm to summon help if needed. Jog in open spaces, away from bushes or alcoves where someone could hide. Take a key with you when you jog. Don’t leave your house unlocked.

First Responder Games Winners Congratulations!

Tomorrow Come Join MBPD and NBC6!

Tomorrow NBC 6 is offering free coffee and treats to all. Come out to 1100 Washington Ave. to share a cup of joe with us. It is the perfect opportunity to further connect with the community, meet MBPD officers and your local news station, NBC 6.  Friday, June 30 9AM-11:30AM 1100 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 What better way to start off your morning than with a warm cup of coffee and good company. What are you waiting for? Put it in your calendar. See you there!

Miami Beach Cultural Arts Events: June 22 - June 28, 2017

Cultural Arts Events June 22 - June 28, 2017

FUNDarte presents OUT IN THE TROPICS The Gleason Room at The Fillmore June 22, 2017 - June 25, 2017 FUNDarte presents Out In The Tropics 2017, a weeklong performing arts series featuring artists who tackle issues of gender politics, sexuality, and LGBTQ identity. Now in its eighth year, this provocative program series runs from Thursday June 22nd to Sunday June 25th, in Miami Beach. Out in the Tropics will present four distinct national and international artists including concerts at the Gleason Room at the Fillmore Miami Beach, on June 22nd and direct from Spain an evening of sultry flamenco/jazz/hiphop fusion with the provocative La Shica; on June 23rd a concert by New York-based vocal icon Joey Arias; on June 24th a feminist Hip Hop sensation Krudas Cubensi, a duo of vocal rap activists that recently relocated from Havana to Austin, TX; and on June 25th culminating with a literary reading by Miami's own Antonio Orlando Rodriguez at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Click here for more information >

FIU Miami Beach Urban Studios REKONESANS II Curated by Rodriguez Barake and Belaxis Buil Opening Wednesday, June 28  through September 1 The Florida International University's Art + Art History Department, alongside the Academy of Fine Arts (ASP) in Warsaw, have continued their global academic partnership and will unveil their new exhibition entitled, REKONESANS II Proposed as an attempt to try to build a global dialogue between South Florida and Central Europe, Prof. Kolasinski and Prof. Jarnuszkiewicz, together with the help from the FIU MFA Curatorial Practice candidates, made REKONESANS II possible. This academic connection serves as an opportunity that allows the students from different cultural backgrounds to share their perception on contemporary art. It also serves as a chance to continue the approach to form a unity between academic institutions on a global level. Click here for more information

Miami Design Preservation League Announces the 2018 Art Deco Weekend Official Poster Contest  View Call for Submissions Deadline is August 1, 2017

Nu Deco Ensemble announces Nu Works Initiative 2017 ! Nu Deco Ensemble is so excited to launch Nu Works Initiative calling for orchestral scores to be performed in our third season! With a mission to inspire, enrich and connect new and diverse audiences, the Nu Works Initiative will complement the genre-bending musical experiences that Nu Deco has cultivated over its first two seasons in Miami. Composers of selected pieces will be provided with the opportunity to have their pieces performed by Miami's 21st-century orchestra, Nu Deco Ensemble, as well as: hands-on experience with the Nu Deco Artistic Team, a domestic flight or $500 travel stipend for an international flight , housing in the Greater Miami area during the duration of rehearsals and performances, and professional audio & video recording of their performed piece at one of our 2017-18 venues (The Light Box at Goldman Warehouse, The New World Center, The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts). View Call for Submissions Deadline is August 1, 2017

THIS MONTH! Raintertainment #OnLincoln: Umbrellas Optional @ Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL Continues through July 2017 Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Starting in May and continuing throughout July, Lincoln Road invites visitors to brave the elements to witness something spectacular! In celebration of the written art form, Raining Poetry is an activation in which poem verses and accompanying graphics will become illuminated on the iconic promenade during rainfall. Contributing poets and artists include ArtCenter/South Florida alumni Laz Ojalde and Natalie  Zlamalova of AMLgMATD, Elysa D. Batista and Lebo.  Click here for more information >

The Wolfsonian FIU North and South: Berenice Abbott's U.S. Route 1 June 9, 2017 - October 8, 2017 In 1954, photographer Berenice Abbott journeyed along the length of U.S. Route 1, capturing the road, its towns, and inhabitants. From Florida motels made from buses to Maine potato farmers, Abbott memorialized communities up and down the East Coast. During the trip, Abbott shot more than four hundred 8x10-inch photographs, and over two thousand smaller images using her Rolleiflex camera, representing her largest portfolio of photographs devoted to a single subject. North and South will bring together a selection of 50 works from this series to present a singular visual summary of American life during the mid-1950s. Click here for more information >

Featured Films O Cinema Miami Beach  Beatriz at Dinner Opening Friday, June 23, various screenings At an elegant dinner party in a swanky hilltop home, conversation between a soft-spoken holistic healer and a hard-nosed businessman explodes into a bitter clash of cultures in BEATRIZ AT DINNER, the latest provocative film from director Miguel Arteta and screenwriter Mike White.  Click here for more information > Miami Beach Cinemateque After Image (Powidoki)  Miami Beach Premiere Friday, June 24, 2017 | 8:55 PM, various screenings The great Polish director Andrzej Wajda returns with this passionate biopic about avant-garde artist Wladyslaw Strzeminski (brilliantly played by Polish superstar Boguslaw Linda), who battled Stalinist orthodoxy and his own physical impairments to advance his progressive ideas about art. (In Polish with English subtitles). Click here for more information >

Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU Hot Couture: Florida Jews on the Fashion Scene On View Now Floridian Jews have been involved in all aspects of the fashion industry, designing, manufacturing, dressing and influencing the local and international scene in all types of clothing from beachwear to ball gowns. From the now- 96 year-old designer Sylvia Whyte, whose children's clothing brought the likes of Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra and Zsa Zsa Gabor flocking to her Miami Beach store in the 1950s, to an 11 year-old entrepreneur now embarking on her first clothing line incorporating her grandfather's artwork into her designs, Floridian Jews have created a large footprint on this industry. With iconic brands like Perry Ellis and Chico's; climate-influenced guayaberas, golf shirts and Florida furriers; funky wearable art and bikinis and belts made out of local snakeskins, this exhibit will surprise and inspire you Click here for more information >

ABOUT MBCULTURE The Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Program, with guidance from the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, develops, coordinates and promotes the performing and visual arts groups in Miami Beach. To date, Cultural Affairs has awarded over $14 million in grants to diverse not-for-profit arts groups, which contribute so richly to the artistic landscape of the City, proving that the Council plays an integral leadership role in supporting, promoting and advocating the unique and extensive scope of cultural offerings in Miami Beach. For more events visit: www.mbculture.com

Un estafador de alivio de deudas te pedirá que pagues primero

16 de junio de 2017

por 

Rosario Mendez

Abogada, División de Educación del Consumidor y Negocios, FTC

Si te sientes sofocado por tus facturas mensuales, una llamada de alguien que te diga que pueden reducir o eliminar tus deudas podría parecerte la respuesta a tus problemas. Pero en muchos casos, la gente que hace estas llamadas es inescrupulosa. No tienen ninguna intención de ayudarte, pero están muy interesados en tomar tu dinero. ¿Cómo puedes saber si estás tratando con un estafador de alivio de deudas? Porque te pide que le pagues antes de hacer nada por ti.

Eso es lo que la FTC y la Fiscal General de Florida dicen que sucedió con una estafa masiva de alivio de deudas que lograron frenar el mes pasado. Los demandados le dijeron a la gente que iban a pagar, liquidar o eliminar sus deudas. Pero no lo hicieron. En su lugar, solo se quedaron con el dinero de la gente. Con el transcurso del tiempo, la gente descubrió que no habían pagado sus deudas, que sus cuentas estaban en mora por incumplimiento de pago y que sus puntajes de crédito habían sufrido un grave daño. Incluso algunas personas fueron demandadas por sus acreedores, o se vieron forzadas a declararse en bancarrota.

Lamentablemente, los estafadores tratan de aprovecharse de la gente que está lidiando con sus deudas – pero hay ayuda legítima disponible. Puedes hablar directamente con tus acreedores para negociar un plan de repago. También puedes buscar un servicio de asesoramiento crediticio. Para encontrar ayuda de buena reputación, comienza buscando en una cooperativa de crédito, universidad local, base militar o el Servicio de Extensión Cooperativa de EE.UU. Y si te decides por un servicio de alivio de deudas, ten presente lo siguiente:

• Una compañía de alivio de deudas legítima no te exigirá que le pagues por adelantado. Eso es ilegal.
• Nadie te puede garantizar que tus acreedores te vayan a condonar tus deudas.
   

Tu reporte puede ayudar a frenar una estafa de alivio de deudas. Si detectas una de estas estafas, cuéntaselo a la FTC.