This year started off with a bang in Miami. We hosted the Super Bowl with record numbers of travelers visiting Miami from all around the world. In Miami Springs, our hotels were jam packed with travelers wishing to be part of the Super Bowl experience. It was an exciting game with a high energy, semi-controversial half time show. That was in February.
Then COVID-19 hit. Schools closed. Businesses closed. Social distancing became a thing. Thousands of people got the virus and unfortunately we’ve lost hundreds of people in Miami-Dade County, including 33 Fair Havens residents right here in Miami Springs.
Through it all, our Miami Springs Police Department has continued to do their job. They have to deal with people who are often times having a really bad day. They have been dealing with a populace that has increasingly lost their jobs and possibly a loved one. The stress throughout Miami has been palpable. Yet, they are still the first ones to arrive at the scene of an accident or the scene of a crime. They still have to get up close and personal with people. Our police cannot social distance themselves from criminals. Let’s be frank, criminals could care less about sneezing, coughing, or sometimes spitting directly on an officer. That adds to their personal risk, job stress, and strain at home with loved ones.
Then, the George Floyd death happened. It’s not uncommon to have police use their body weight to subdue a suspect. But putting a knee on someone’s neck is not acceptable. And the actions have rightfully been condemned the world over.
What has surprised me during this event has been the generalization by some against all law enforcement. Just because a few bad police officers, in a different city, in a different state commit a horrible act does not mean that all police officers are heinous individuals. We know that most of the protesters are peaceful individuals, despite the clear evidence of agitators, looters, arsonists, and violent attackers. Most of the protesters have been peaceful. Well folks, most of our police are professionals who work hard to protect our community and save lives. Yes. There will always be some bad apples. We will never root out all evil. But most of the police officers are trying to do an almost impossible job and deserve our support and respect.
Unfortunately, there was a lack of respect for life and property when a 77 year old retired police captain was shot and killed by alleged looters.
77-year-old retired police captain David Dorn, who served 38 years with the St. Louis P.D., was shot and killed while protecting a friend’s pawn shop from looters. RIP. ? https://t.co/TXTRnGiWwZ pic.twitter.com/Nb5cBFTsEg
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) June 3, 2020
Sadly, David Dorn has not been the only fatality during this time of riot and unrest. Dave Patrick Underwood, a Federal Officer was killed in Oakland shooting on Friday.
JUST IN: Federal officer killed in Oakland shooting identified by family and friends as Dave Patrick Underwood. https://t.co/bfjyEOuLOo pic.twitter.com/2HrP3Q3j9W
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) May 31, 2020
With all that’s going on right now, we wanted to support and thank all the men and women of the Miami Springs Police Department and all South Florida law enforcement. We appreciate your hard work, dedication, professionalism, and care for our community.
I’ll close with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
God bless you all and stay safe.
