The Betrayal of Justice by Miami-Dade County Legislators

Weekly Update 2017-12-13

Dear Members and Advocates,

It was a disappointing day in the Miami-Dade County Legislature, as the Commissioners on the Public Safety Committe passed through a proposed amendment that would allow police to arrest homeless sex offenders without offering them shelter, as they would for any other homeless individual. While disappointing, it was not unexpected. As expected, lobbyist Ron Book (who is the cause of these people’s homelessness and, ironically, the person Miami-Dade put in charge of “helping them”) did his usual presentation and outspoken Commissioner Pepe Diaz spent most of the hour kissing his backside and talking about how this “helps the children”.

Sure… a housing restriction around schools that takes effect between 10PM and 6AM (when children are NOT in school) does what, exactly, to help the children? I wonder how Jose Pepe Diaz would feel sitting before a panel of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers? Those who watched his performance at the committee meeting should also watch his performance during his DUI arrest (see: https://youtu.be/JWtKwOyaznw) when considering whether he’s the most appropriate person to pass judgment on others.

The bright points of the hearing were the testimony of attorney’s Jeanne Baker and Jeff Hearne, among others who opposed the amendment and the reference to FAC’s letter, which was made part of the record. Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava voted against the amendment and despite putting it through, Chairperson Sally Heyman seemed to get it and was reluctant in her decision.

Thanks to all who made a valiant effort. We know to expect nothing when it comes to the legislators. Regardless of how inhumanely human beings are treated before their eyes, at the end of the day they are politicians. The only relief we can expect will come through the courts. That’s the position we’ve always recognized and, if anything, if this amendment is passed by the full commission, we feel it only makes our case stronger.

We also do not have an order yet in the Internet Identifier case. There is no indication of when it will come. Rest assured that as soon as something is issued, we will announce it on our site and circulate an email. We are as anxious as anyone to hear. Currently, it is scheduled to proceed to trial, as is the residency restriction case, which will be heard the week of April 30, 2018.

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee

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