The Times

Council questions need for 35 police officers city council . . . south miami

By EDWIN KNIGHT Staff Writer The City of South Miami, assured of excellent police protection, may be surprised to learn that the city's council is questioning whether South Miami might be over policed. With the city's residents comfortable in their homes and knowledgeable that a police car is a telephone call and mere minutes away, the council during the first of what could be many sessions on the city's coming budget last week brought up statistics which shows that there is one South Miami police officer for every 342 citizens. The recommended ratio is one officer for every 500 citizens and the national average one for every 1,000 citizens. The question arose during discussions on ways of cutting the budget to keep South Miamians from paying nearly twice as much in property taxes at a time when the cost of local government is skyrocketing. With the budget as presented last month by City Manager Jack Present to the city's council, the millage for the year could go from the present 3, 843 mills to 7.4 mills, a figure which could cause property taxes to nearly double. The council left the question of the number of police officers hanging, but Police Chief Sal Vizzini, in attendance at the meeting, brought out that South Miami, in contrast to being an isolated community, is one big thoroughfare connecting south and west Dade County to Miami. "There are 60,000 cars traveling on South Dixie Highway through South Miami every day," the police chief brought out. "And that doesn't count Bird Road, Miller Road, 80th Street and every throughfare used by motorists to get through the city." The chief reasoned that all of these vehicles cause loads of traffic and resulting accidents which keeps the city's police officers on duty so busy that they can't devote the time they should to deterring crime and chasing criminals. According to Vizzini, the South Miami police department is allowed up to 40 officers, but having this many at any one time is a rarity. The department's compelment is presently 37 sworn officers - those with arrest powers - and there are seldom more than five or six officers on the street at any one time. "If we had two emergencies at any one time, it would tie up most of the officers on duty," the police chief explained, "and this does happen." Two of the city's police officers are leaving the force this week, which will bring the complement down to 35 officers. Because the department's number of K-9 dogs has gone from four at one time down to a single dog, Vizzini is dropping the K-9's from the department roster, at least for the coming budget year, and the resulting $2,000 for maintaining the K-9's. "If they want to cite statistics," the police chief brought out, "let them look at the decrease in crime and traffic accidents for the first six months of this year as a result of efforts by the South Miami Police Department." Daytime burglaries are still up, the chief added, but prevention of these crimes comes at times of the day when the on-duty police officers are the busiest.

44 Pages Vol. 50 No. 55 July 7, 1976 * * 10 Cents

Mrs. Alice Peterson holds her baby. Craig, born at 6:19 a.m. on July 4 at Baptist Hospital. Photo by ANA MARIA ALVAREZ

SD greets its newest resident

By ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Staff Writer South Dade's first "Yankee Doodle Dandy" was born at Baptist Hospital in the early morning of July 4. Weighing seven pounds nine and a half ounces, Craig Thomas Peterson, the first son of Thomas and Alice Peterson of 12282 SW 28th Terr., was born at 6:19 a.m. The dark haired baby boy became an instant celebrity at Baptist's Maternity Ward. His infant crib was decorated with red, white and blue ribbons, a patriotic blanket and a sign which read "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" to let visitors know he was the first South Dade baby born in the nation's third century. Out celebrating the 4th of July, Mrs. Peterson had to rush to the hospital at midnight to get ready for her first arrival. Craig is too young to realize what was happening, but the Petersons were glad he was born when he was. "I was due the 28th of June," the new mother said. "My husband says I was just holding out so I could have him on the Bicentennial celebration. I'm glad he was late since it was just a few days." An employe with Southern Bell, Peterson is glad their first born was a boy. "My husband really See JULY, Page 7

Couple who found dog still getting calls

Calls and letters are still coming in from people praising Jim Pillew and Laura Janaro, the teenage couple who tried to rescue a dying shepherd that had been hit by a car. The dog, which had to be put to sleep because of its injuries, was hit by a motorist on Bird Road several weeks ago. Jim bundled up the dog and took it to the clinic in the middle of the night, and then he and Laura posted signs in the neighborhood, in hopes that the pet's owner might surface. He did not. The clinic absorbed the $49 veterinarian's bill to help the young couple out, and over 40 Times/Guide readers have sent checks or letters to the couple anyway, commending their selfless efforts. The following South Dade and Coral Gables residents have called, sent letters or checks since the last article appeared in The Times/Guide. Rita Johnson, 3988 SW 10th St.; R.L.Coleman, 7280 SW 128th St.; Margaret B. Harrison, 6394 SW 42nd St.; Mrs. J.R. Younger, Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables; Edna G. Sumerfield, Coral Gables; Betty Swan, 5880 SW 94th St.; two anonymous callers; and one lady from North Miami Beach - Margaret B. Billotte. - ELIZABETH OWEN

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