HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 080-2018 Police Investigative Inquiry UpdateBAL HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER
To:
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manage
Date: May 4, 2018
Subject: Police Investigative Inquiry Update
LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 080-2018
Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
I"
1
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to provide you with an update regarding the
Bal Harbour Police department's investigative inquiry into the allegation of discrimination
against a family with an autistic child residing at the Plaza Condominium.
As part of the investigative process, the police department's investigators conducted
formal interviews with the affected family and several persons at the Plaza Condominium.
As a result of these interviews, the police department was able to identify and questioned
the individual who authored the letter and placed it on the family's door. Bal Harbour
Police investigators questioned the individual responsible for writing the letter. The
individual explained to the investigators that the letter was written out of frustration after
numerous attempts to address the disturbance issue with the child's family and the
condominium management.
At the conclusion of all formal interviews, the Bal Harbour Police investigators consulted
with the Miami -Dade County State Attorneys' Office, Hate Crimes Division to evaluate the
investigation and determine if the case met the threshold for criminal prosecution. After
careful review, the Hate Crimes Division Chief determined there was insufficient evidence
to pursue criminal charges against the individual responsible for drafting the letter. The
language, while reprehensible, was determined to be protected under the First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and was deemed to not have violated Federal, State,
or local discrimination laws.
Bal Harbour Investigators conducted follow-up interviews with the child's family to update
them on the status of the investigation. The family is in the process of relocating from the
Plaza Condominium. Additionally, the individual who drafted the letter terminated their
lease agreement and relocated to the city of Boca Raton, Florida.
(continued)
LTC 080-2018: Police Investigative Inquiry Update
Page 2 of 2
The Bal Harbour Police Department will prepare an investigative report documenting the
results of the investigative inquiry and the Miami -Dade County State Attorneys' office
decision to decline prosecution.
If you have any questions, please contact me or Captain Raleigh Flowers.
JMG/RF