Lots of CrimeWatch: Not Much Crime. With One Exception.

Didn't we just talk about CrimeWatch?  And not long ago before that?

Tuesday night, some of us went up to North Miami Beach to attend Ana Garcia's anointment, I mean swearing in, as the new City Manager for CNMB.  Their gain is our loss.  And they're breathtakingly lucky to have her.  It seemed as if the whole County knows it.  Ana had supporters and well-wishers from the depth and breadth of her career, co-workers and supervisors and people who have been pleased and honored to work with her, from South Miami, Palmetto Bay, and Biscayne Park, someone, I think, from Miami Beach, someone from Surfside, an old co-worker who is in Palm Beach County now.  Notables including Sally Heyman and Daphne Campbell.  Family, of course.  And among the BP contingent were our police Chief, Ray Atesiano, and two of his officers, Larry Churchman and Nick Wollschlager.

Well, Ray was back last night, too.  This time, he and Chuck Ross put on yet another CrimeWatch get-together, in front of Village Hall.  Three others of Ray's force were there for the presentation.

The content was the usual.  Ray and Chuck reviewed stats, and they reminded us of procedures.  Specifically, they reminded Winston Zacca that he's resident Winston Zacca, not officer Winston Zacca.  Winston, just make the call; don't help.  We love you.  We don't want you having any trouble that's not yours to have.

It's old news how remarkably well we're doing here.  Crime is about as low as it could be.  The comparison is not to other municipalities.  It's to gated communities.  We are, as Chuck says, off the charts in low crime and high clearance.  In other words, it's very unlikely a crime will be committed in Biscayne Park.  And if one is, it's almost guaranteed the perpetrator will be caught.  People talked about gating this community, mainly with closed streets.  The fact is, it isn't necessary.  With the level of police activity we have, there's barely enough crime to try to prevent with walls and moats.

And it's not only the police, it's also resident monitoring and communication through CrimeWatch.  Someone last night talked about a recent gathering at El Portal, where there were some very serious attacks.  One of the El Portal residents frankly bemoaned that BP residents knew about the attacks before El Portal residents did.  And El Portal is two municipalities away.  Their police talk to our police, who talk to Chuck Ross, who keeps us all in the know and in the loop.  Tight, tight, tight.

Attendance was very satisfying for last night's get-together.  The event was held outside, so all the mosquitos were invited.  And they all attended.  So did all the usual usuals among us (the Andersons, Roxy Ross, Linda Dillon, Rosemary Wais, Brian McNoldy and Brad Piper, Pat whose last name I don't know).  And the less usual usuals, like Chester Morris, Richard Ederr, Felix Bradjic, Winston Zacca, Walter and Erica Pettis, Judi Hamelburg, David Tunnell.  And there were lots of people whom I hardly ever see, and some whom I never see, including Eddie Bridges, a new resident who introduced himself.  Chuck snagged one new CrimeWatch member, a woman named Sabrina.  It was an impressive crowd.

Chester Morris must have asked four or five times where the other three Commissioners were.  When Chester was a Commissioner, he would have attended a gathering like this.  He attended all Village events.  He attends most of them now.  I know, Chester.  I know you did.  I know you would.  I know you do.  I'm sorry, I don't know where the other three Commissioners are.  Maybe they're home, watching cartoons, or keeping up with the Kardashians.  Maybe they have bigger fish to fry.  Yes, they should be here.  Please tell them.  Chester said he has a commitment every Tuesday night, so he can no longer come to Commission meetings.  Now that he's not a Commissioner any more.  Unlike some Commissioners who don't necessarily come to Commission meetings, even though they are Commissioners.  I told Chester to send Maria Camara his thoughts, and ask her to read them as his public comment in absentia.  Which she will be more than happy to do.

It was odd, really.  Was the crime that the majority of our Commission didn't bother to attend this event?  Or would it have been a bigger crime if they had?