Miami
Beach
Police
Department
MBPD RETIREE NEWS August 2008 Un it y
i s
st ren g th
for
a
bet ter
ret irement
Check out our newly upgraded website: www.mbpdretirees.com Lunch at 4,000 feet
Vinny’s Breakfast
Lunch at 4,000 feet was a huge success. Twenty-one adults and two children poured through the High Country Cafe in Highlands, TN, to hug and greet old friends and talk about how much fun it was to be a Miami Beach police officer. A common comment throughout the group was “Thank God for the Miami Beach Pension”. In attendance were surprise visitors Jack and Joy GORDON and Don SPHAR. The GORDON’s took time out from a busy schedule of gambling at the casino in Cherokee to have lunch with everyone. Then, an hour before the hoopla began, Pat and Tracey DEVANEY, on their way to Chicago, called the WOOLRIDGE home to inform them they would attend with their two children. Also, we knew our FOP President Bobby JENKINS would attend, but to everyone’s surprise, we did not know he had been sent by the FOP board to meet with us and pick up the check. The gesture was to show their appreciation to our retirees for our supporting the union on past issues. Thank you Bobby and the FOP board. He also announced, with a big grin I might add, he had 75 days until his retirement. Congratulations, Bobby. First time attendees to our luncheon were Jack and Donna KROLACK, Doug REID, Jim BURNETTE and Lisa NEWLAND. Jim and Lisa were headed out west in their motor home, and plan to see all the usual memorable sights along the way. We hope to see you again next year. Doug REID made sure everyone was sitting down before he announced our pension had reached 750 million dollars in assets, in spite of our economy. Will it be one billion by our next mountain luncheon? Doug also announced he has become the czar of bar-bque, and judges contests far and wide. What a fun job. Alan SERES, along with Bill and Linda GOODMAN, were retirees who had attended past luncheons but we had not seen them for a while. Alan, who lives in an unusual sounding place called “Fair Play” announced the best decision he had ever made was giving up the ocean for the mountains of North Carolina. Then there were the usual suspects, those who always attend no matter what. Gene TOREKY, Nick and Paula DiMARTINO, Jerry and Julie MILLICAN, and Fred and Maddy WOOLDRIDGE. More and more retirees are making the mountain luncheon a part of their summer vacation and we hope others will want to do so next year. The luncheon usually moves around the mountains to different restaurants, so if anyone did not happen to enjoy the food, there is always next year. And finally the most bored attendee at the luncheon was Pat DEVANEY’s young son who at one point was crumpled up on the floor in despair, thinking the party would never end. Sorry! -1-
The breakfast was held on July 18th at the 84 Diner with 17 people attending. President Billy O’NEILL, Lynda VESKI, Vinny, Fred WALDER, Joan DONNELLY OCHOA, Wally NEUMANN, Bernie WINER, Bobby MOOREHEAD, Don FREEMAN, Charlie LOSEY, Jack MACKIE, John VAN VRANKEN, Sam GAM, Pat RYAN, Jason PSALTIDES, Pat QUINLAN and late comer Mike AUCH. Besides sea stories, the discussions centered around promotions within the department To Captain Greg BUTLER, to Lt. Henry DOCE and to Sgt. Alfredo AMAYA. Second item, Tom WESCHLER who has been working for the Naples, Fla department as their I.A., Accreditation, FIO and Training Division has been named as Acting Chief after only nine months on the job. Congratulation Tommy (I dare any other Florida department to match the number of Police Chiefs the Beach has produced). Tommy we need a new mailing address. Third item, Richie PELOSI will be shortly joining Mike AUCH and Jimmy MAZER working with Alan SOLOWITZ in the Office of the Attorney General.
Old Joke Will the last person leaving Florida please turn out the lights. Latest person moving, Mark HALLMAN, 227 Halberton Dr., Franklin Tn 37069.
traffic detail in the pouring rain. He was reprimanded for yelling and screaming at a taxi driver who he had pulled over for not obeying his command. The surprise was the reprimand was written by Sam, for Sam. But if you know Sam that was not the end of it. Sam then wrote MBPD Retirees a rebuttal t o his reprimand advising that he was wet and tired Newsletter is and at the end of his rope and should not be penalized due to his On June 18th, I attended Lt. Sam GAM’s last roll call published by the honesty in admitting to yelling at the cabbie. The Chief at the before he retired (midnight shift). Super Dave, Lt. David Miami Beach time did not reprimand Sam. HERNANDEZ put on a slide show of Sam’s career with Police Department Retirees Associathe MBPD, A highlight of Sam’s career included a reprimand tion, 12954 NW 132nd Assist Chief Ray MARTINEZ attended the roll call and presented Sam with a that Sam received while he worked a traffic detail in the pouring rain. He was Street, Miami, FL 33411. The plaque for his years of dedicated service, (1979 to 2008). Sam worked in CDC, now reprimanded for yelling and screaming at a taxi driver who he had pulled over newsletter is written by Jack known ashis PSCU from 1979 81. Alsowas attending the roll callwas waswritten recent retiree for not obeying command. Thetosurprise the reprimand by Tighe. The graphic design and Bill GODFREY. Sam, forCharlie Sam. WEAVER But if youand know Sam that was not the end of it. Sam then wrote printing services are donated by Dean Adler of Cops and a rebuttal t o his reprimand advising that he was wet and tired and at the end of Firefighters in Business On June 28th Sam’s retirement party was held at the Miami Outboard Club. Retirees his rope and should not be penalized due to his honesty in admitting to yelling at (www.cfbnetwork.com). Dean attending were Don MacKENZIE, Buddy PETIT, Bill GODFREY, Priscilla the cabbie. The Chief at the time did not reprimand Sam. also contributes website design GRANDAGE, Ed AVILA, Dave TRACEY, and Larry HANKOFF, (now patrolling the and maintenance services to Metro Dade Police department, Intracoastal Station), Dennis WHITE who was just Assist Chief Ray MARTINEZ attended the roll call and presented Sam with a MBPD Retirees (see Dean’s ad granted a disability pension and I. Chief Carlos NORIEGA congratulated Sam on his on the last page of this newsletplaque for his years of dedicated service, (1979 to 2008). Sam worked in CDC, ter). For advertising informacareer and his retirement. Lt. Dave HERNANDEZ again put on the slide show of Sam’s now known as PSCU from 1979 to 81. Also attending the roll call was recent tion, contact Dean Adler at career. FOP President Bobby JENKINS attended and congratulated Sam on his retiree Charlie WEAVER and Bill GODFREY. (954) 838-0084. retirement. Many stories were shared, none to be repeated here for obvious I had the honor of working with (early and for Sam (2000)Club. throughout my On Junereasons. 28th Sam’s retirement party was held at 80s) the Miami Outboard career and he always seemed to find the lighter humorous side to most calls as Retirees attending were Don MacKENZIE, Buddy PETIT, Bill GODFREY, above. SamEd congratulations anTRACEY, d welcome and to retirement. Priscilla shown GRANDAGE, AVILA, Dave Larry HANKOFF,
A Note from Vinnie APRILE
(now patrolling the Metro Dade Police department, Intracoastal Station), Dennis the just Miami Heralda posted an article onand a Miami Beach Police Captain, WHITE Again who was granted disability pension I. Chief Carlos Richard WEISSMAN has been disciplined and ordered to attend firearm NORIEGA congratulated Sam on his career and his retirement. Lt. Dave training pulling aagain gun onput a detective in an show impromptu training exercise before an HERNANDEZ on the slide of Sam’s career. FOPshortly President undercover prostitution sting at a South Beach hotel. This incident occurred in Bobby JENKINS attended and congratulated Sam on his retirement. Many November but was only recently made public on a public records request by the stories were shared, none to be repeated here for obvious reasons. I had the Weissman has since to Technical Operations. .According honor ofHerald. working with (early 80s)been and transferred for Sam (2000) throughout my career and report WEISSMAN and detectives were preparing surveillance cameras, he always seemed to find the lighter humorous side to most calls as shown WEISSMAN had beenanpeppering detectives with what-if scenarios. After going above. Sam congratulations d welcome to retirement. through some scenarios, WEISSMAN left the room, closed the door and then knocked. detective WEISSMAN entered, took a few Again the Miami When Heralda posted anopened articlethe on door a Miami Beach Police Captain
Richard WEISSMAN has been disciplined and ordered to attend firearm training for pulling a gun on a detective in an impromptu training exercise shortly before an undercover prostitution sting at a South Beach hotel. This incident occurred in November, but was only recently made public on a public records request by the Herald. Weissman has since been transferred to Technical Operations. According to the report, WEISSMAN and detectives were preparing surveillance cameras, WEISSMAN had been peppering detectives with what-if scenarios. After going through some scenarios, WEISSMAN left the room, closed the door and then knocked. When a detective opened the door WEISSMAN entered, took a few steps, then drew his handgun. The veteran detective who answered the door said, ‘If he was trying to prove a point, he definitely got the point across and scared me’. Although WEISSMAN had emptied the weapon before entering, the detective assumed it was loaded. The Captain later said he had been worried the detectives “were not properly verbalizing the actions they would take in an emergency situation”.
for
Happy Birthday Dean ADLER (with many thanks for your service to this organization), Dew BUNNELL, Rocco DE LEO, Ed FEIGENBLATT, BILL GUILLUM, Sandy KOHAN, Paul MARCUS, Wm LAMB, Gerry MacKEY, Ken MILLER, Sonia PUCKETT, Art SCHICKLER, Alan SERES, Chuck SPAGNOLA, Don SPHER, Keith STRICKLAND, John F TIGHE,(pride of my life), John UMANO, Fred WOOLRIDGE, and Charles WEAVER.
Just a Note Charlie LOSEY advised he had a suspenseful Memorial Day. While most people were Bar-B-Queing, Charlie and his family spent the evening with the SWAT team perched on their roof. Charlie’s next door neighbor decided to hold up in his house and not come out. After approximately 6 hours, the SWAT team fired tear gas into the house and the suspect emerged and was baker acted. The incident did not end until after 4 AM -2-
to the
steps,
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News about members Jim CASEY worked in the Detective bureau, person’s crimes from 1964 to 1968. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1968 and continued to work in the detective division until assigned to the Patrol Division from 1968 to 1971. While there, we had one of the worst shootings in Miami Beach history Three Metro Dade detectives were shot to death at 87th Terrace on the Surfside City border by a white male with a double barrel, 12 gauge shotgun. He was also armed with a .357 magnum revolver with numerous rounds for each firearm. It was late in the afternoon when the call was dispatched. I was the north zone Sergeant and when I arrived on the scene there were three dead detectives. One was nearby at a motel in an outside doorway, one in a vacant lot between the motel and Collins Avenue and one on the street just west of some Seagrape trees on the beach. Our Officer, Drew BUNNEL, was behind a Palm tree near the beach. Radios were cracking and communications with headquarters was impossible at that moment. We didn’t know exactly what we had or how many suspects were involved. We were attempting to set up a perimeter. Drew said he spotted someone on the beach and we had received radio information that suspect(s) could be on the beach or in the Seagrape woods. Officer BUNNEL and I grabbed a subject on the beach and took him to a command post that had hurriedly been set up. About that time units from Miami Beach, Surfside, Golden Beach, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbour, Metro and elsewhere arrived. The subject we picked up checked out okay and his name was taken as a possible witness and he was turned over to nearby detectives. It was later determined the Metro detective had warrants on a suspect wanted as a lead suspect in a large auto theft ring and that suspect was an expert skeet shooter. It was also learned that the suspect had been to prison before and stated he would never go back. Numerous television and newspaper reporters arrived. Chief Rocky POMERANCE ordered me to find a land line and request Metro dispatch a Public Information Officer to the scene to handle the press. Our portable radios were useless and communications was still jammed. About that time I remember Sergeant Ed YOUNG formed a squad to search the woods on the beach. It was dark by then and it was believed the suspect was dug in somewhere on the beach, I had returned and was nearby when I heard a number of shots fired between Collins Avenue and the Ocean. As I moved into that area sat several officers pull the dead or dying suspect from the nearby brush and not so gently place him in the back of a patrol car. Later Dade County Medical Examiner Dr Joe DAVIS and his staff determined that the cause of death was from a self inflicted gunshot wound. Several days later I returned to the location in the daytime and re-walked the entire scene. I determined the suspect was dug in within thirty yards of where Officer BUNNEL and I had first arrived on the scene. He could have easily shot BUNNEL and me. We were very fortunate that he chose not to reveal his position at the time while many other officers were also arriving. I believe he thought he could escape undetected in all the confusion as soon as it got dark. In 1972, I was reassigned to the Detective Division and we had the Democratic and Republican conventions. Everyone on the entire department made a great deal of overtime in training, extra jobs and learning how to work with the Secret service, protect President Nixon, and all the other politicians, as well as getting along with thousands of hippies and demonstrators. I will say Chief Rocky POMERANCE, who was the Chief Coordinator and later President of the IACP, did a great job. The MBPD and all other police agencies did a wonderful job and received a lot of good recognition and new equipment. It was a lot of fun, and I believe the Miami Beach cops drove some of the psychiatrists nuts as they attempted to train us on how to react to hippies insulting us. Between 1975 and 78, Sergeant Bobby BISHOP and I, and later Sergeant Joe FERIA, were assigned to the first Miami Beach Fraud squad, aka White Collar Crimes. We worked with Assistant State Attorney Bob BROWN, filing our cases with him and he was hard to please. He checked our cases with a fine tooth comb and until we learned exactly what he demanded, we were not too happy with him. It became easier after that. We learned on the job, there was a volume of paper work so no one else wanted to work these cases. After working with him being so strict, he would assign the case to a trial ASA, who would say, “Quick tell me about the case”. BISHOP would say,”Read the case. Read the case.” Sometimes they were very complicated. In three years we had 100% clearance, and nearly all the defendants pled guilty. Many of their attorneys accepted a plea as they walked through the courtroom doors. Most defendants made restitution, which made the victims happy. I remember one in particular who didn’t. Judge MORPHONIUS called a side bar shortly after the trial started. The defendant’s attorney had requested it. As we stood at the bar Judge MARPHONIUS refused the plea, the defendant had a long record of fraud cases with suspended sentences. The Judge looked at BISHOP, The AASA and I and winked. Then said, “I think it’s time Mr____ goes to prison. Five years in the State prison.” I thought the defendant and his attorney would have a stroke. He continued to argue but to no avail. From 1979 to 82, I was working the Detective Division and Major Lou REILLY was commander. About 1981 he decided to form a Hotel and High Rise Burglary squad. I was assigned as supervisor with Detectives Gene TOREKY and Wally NEUMANN, and later Detective Carlos NORIEGA. REILLY asked that I keep a ledger book consisting of the progress of each case assigned; the detective assigned and cases exceptionally cleared; defendant’s arrested and convicted; and property recovered (this was before computers). We also had classes for the uniform officers and helped train them to make proper uniform crime reports with as much detailed information they could get, to enable us to follow up the investigations They were advised their initial investigation was the most important tool we had to solve the cases. The cases were assigned to individual detectives, but many times we worked together on different ones. We worked closely with the security directors and hotel personnel. In several years our unit received many letters of thanks or commendations from the security directors, tenants, and guests in the hotels. I personally wrote letters of commendation on all my officers when they deserved it. Detective NORIEGA received three nominations for” Officer of the Month” in one year and made “Officer of the year”. CONCLUSION PART THREE NEXT MONTH -3-
From Gerry MacKEY HI Everyone, My wife and I just got back from a one week vacation at Jamaica, WI. Kathy has been home for two months from a recent military deployment that started on November 1, 2006. Needless to say, she was in need of a stress-reducing break and spending a week on a warm tropical Island fit the bill perfectly. We decided to try an all-inclusive adults only resort in the Caribbean. We booked the honeymoon suite (with concierge service) at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort in Montego Bay, using an online travel agent called Vacations-To Go. I highly recommend both the resort and the travel agent. Everything was organized and prepared in a timely manner, the travel agent was professional and knowledgeable, and the resort staff was friendly and courteous. We were warmly greeted at the airport by Sandals employees who escorted us to a comfortable, private lounge, where after making sure our baggage was secured, they provided us with pastries, fresh fruit, and Jamaican Red Stripe beer. There we waited only a short time until the shuttle arrived to take us to our destination. The ride to the resort was less than 15 minutes and after making sure our luggage was transported to our rooms, the concierge gave us a full rundown of the resort amenities. There are two other Sandals resorts nearby, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Inn both of which were fully available for our use via a free shuttle. The concierge than made arrangements for our dinner reservations for the week, and after a private tour of the resort, we were taken to our room. There are numerous activities at the resort most of which are included in the price, such as snorkeling, scuba diving sailing glass bottom boat, kayaking, wind surfing tennis and golf They have four pools (two of which have swim up bars) whirlpools private beaches and an off-shore private island with two more beaches, one of which offers;”secluded” (aka clothing optional) sunbathing, The private island also has an open air gourmet Thai restaurant serving dinner only. In fact, all of the resorts fine dining restaurants served us delicious gourmet meals. There are bars all over the place, and an outdoor beach grill where you can get hamburgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken and other local foods. You can literally eat and drink 24 hours a day and it’s all included. You don’t even have to tip anybody. We were often accosted by local vendors selling hand-made items such as necklaces, art work, wood carvings etc., some of whom hung out during the day on kayaks in the water right outside our room. At first we were a little offended by this, but then we soon realized it was a cultural thing, and the locals are actually very friendly and respectful. We ended up buying a bunch of souvenirs from them on our last day. Although we did do some kayaking and snorkeling, and we took an offsite excursion to the Dunn’s River Falls, we spent most of our time lounging and swimming on the private island secluded beach. Fortunately there was an outdoor bar available to provide us with all the Red Stripe and rum punch we could drink. We hadn’t had a chance to sunbathe on an actual beach since leaving Miami five years ago (have I been gone that long already??!!). We weren’t even sunburned too badly, got a nice tan actually, which is a sight not commonly seen up here in Tennessee. Overall, we had a wonderful vacation and for anyone thinking of going on a tropical island getaway, I suggest you consider the all-inclusive version. And if you don’t have any children going with you, I recommend either the adults only or couples only alternative. Anyone interested in seeing some of our vacation pictures can check them on the internet using the following link http:// community.webshots.com/user/rockdog.2007 then click on Gerry and Kathy. Also on the same site are pictures of a 4th of July party at the house of Sunday BROWN along with her husband Mike, Pete MARTINEZ and his wife Vicki, Marty DRUCKER and his wife Zury, finally Gerry MacKEY and his wife Kathy.
This and That – Budget Cuts The Herald reporting that Hollywood’s first budget shows 81 city workers being laid off, including 21 firefighters and 28 policemen. Sunrise will cut 3 officer positions currently vacant and all part time service aids. Nothing on Miami Beach’s budget.
In Memoriam Burnett ROTH at about age 90, a past Commissioner and Vice Mayor in the 50’s. Not all retirees join the organization, one was Fred BIZET whose wife we reported died last month. We since have learned Fred died in December of 2003. -4-
Job Opening McROBERTS Protective Agency is seeking a retired Police Officer that is interested in employment. McROBERTS has been awarded the County buildings and Court House contract south of SR 836 and is looking for a manager for the project which entails managing the security personnel at those county buildings south of 836. The pay scale is $60,000 annually. If interested, forward resume to David R WARD, 786 468 2289 Gene ADDIS one of thirteen of us who came on together, moved again. His new address is 215 SE 3rd Ave #4080 Hallandale, Fl 33009, telephone same 954 458 8296 Jack KROLAK got an e-mail of a television news cast for channel 3 saying a “John Krolak” campaign was afoot to have people vote for him as President. It showed bill boards with “John Krolak 08”, bus signs with the same logo, a couple interviewed on who they were voting for President showed their lower backside with John KROLAK President 08. After about five minutes of this newsreel, the page changes to tell you you’re a victim of a joke. Jaime REZZONICO who retired in November of 1999, learned of our organization and has joined. So far I have been unable to get his bio for the paper. His address 49 Deer Run Road, Bakersville, North Carolina 28705, phone 828 385 6350. If you’re close, call him to say hi. The Miami Beach FOP has produced a quick ad, probably for television. You can view it on MBFOP.com
Sound the Trumpets, Bang the Drums A new tradition is about to begin. Gerry MacKEY has volunteered to bring all photos to us. In the past we had to choose one photo out of the many we received. Now Gerry is able to include them all in his web site shown above http:// community.webshots.com/user/ rockdog2007. To view 12 pictures of the LUNCH AT 4,000 feet, go to that address
-5-
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Law Offices
Miami Beach
LAURENCE FEINGOLD
Fraternal Order of Police William Nichols Lodge No. 8
Professional Association (Former CityAttorney)
999 Eleventh Street Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Telephone: (305) 534-2775 Fax: (305) 534-5901 Beeper: (305) 882-7496
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION TO ALL MBPD RETIREES 407 Lincoln Road, Suite 708 Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Dade (305) 538-1686, Fax (305) 538-7875
T he F e y ou ne ver Frr ed W ooldridg ooldridge you nev kne w. R ead his book... knew Read
“I’m Mo ving Bac k to Mar s” Moving Back Mars” Buy it from your local book store, Amaz on, Bar nes and Nob le Amazon, Barnes Noble or Borders online. -6-
