To his surprise, Miami-Dade Police Major George Perez was presented with a proclamation by Mayor Manny Cid and the Town Council at the Council’s July 25 meeting proclaiming July 2nd “Major George Perez Day.”
After serving the Town for the past two years, July 2 was his last day as Town Commander.
During his time with the Town, Perez brought forth several initiatives that continue to make Miami Lakes one of the safest communities in the state.
Initiated by Councilmember Ceasar Mestre, in partnership with the Town’s Public Safety Committee and Police Department, the “Lock It or Lose It” campaign was implemented in response to a rise in vehicle burglaries. Aimed to encourage residents to lock their vehicles and remove any valuables, the program resulted in a 22 percent reduction in vehicle burglaries. Due to its success, the initiative is currently being used by the entire Miami-Dade Police Department.
Additionally, Perez developed traffic initiatives to address residents’ concern of traffic along N.W. 67 Avenue and Miami Lakes Drive, and within the Town’s neighborhoods. On-duty and overtime officers were placed at key intersections to ensure commuters do not block the intersections, preventing traffic lights from moving vehicles in their intended time.
This has resulted in a great reduction in travel time and was the number one topic discussed by residents for the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year budget. Known as the Neighborhood Traffic Unit, the NTU’s were deployed to designated critical intersections to coordinate and conduct anti-speeding campaigns, as well as enforcement operations at designated locations throughout the Town.
As his last official duty, Perez and the Town Council commended the Town’s General Investigations Unit (GIU). The GIU, supervised by Sergeant Eduardo Ruesga, is comprised of three detectives, Benjamin Furer, Myriam Nieves, and Sharon Walker.
The detectives are responsible for conducting follow-up investigations, conducting interviews and interrogations, evidence collection, and working closely with the State Attorney’s Office for case prosecution.
In addition, Officers Ronald Perez and Osmin Machado have been assigned to the GIU to assist the detectives with the processing of crime scenes.
The entire GIU has consistently demonstrated professionalism and a passion for investigations as they tirelessly work their assigned caseloads. They were commended for their dedication, diligent efforts, enthusiasm for investigations, and combined teamwork.
The Town’s interim Police Commander is Captain Eugenio Fernandez who comes to the Town as a veteran with the Miami-Dade County Police Department.