“While crime numbers are increasing nationwide, the City of Miami has been blessed in maintaining our crime levels at near record lows.  The safety of our residents continues to be our top priority.  We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of our law enforcement departments and we must provide them the resources necessary to ensure that they can continue to keep our neighborhoods safe.

“This Thursday, the City Commission will consider 2 items that will enhance the safety of our residents – I strongly urge their passing:  

RENEWAL OF ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN: ITEM RE-6

“These high powered weapons designed for war have no business in our streets and certainly no business in the hands of criminals who use them against our police and citizenry.

“As a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns since its inception in 2006, I have joined Mayors from throughout the country in bringing this issue to the forefront, calling for a renewal of the assault weapons ban in Congress and advocating for the repeal of the Tiahrt Amendment. 

I will continue doing so as President of the US Conference of Mayors, which highlights this issue in our 10 Point Plan: Strong Cities, Strong Families, for a Strong America.

“New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg puts it best when he states, ‘President Bush has said that he would sign a national ban on assault weapons, but since Congress has not passed it, cities and states are taking action on their own.  I applaud Mayor Diaz for this initiative, and for making Miami a safer place.’

“We have also worked in our state capital and fully support the efforts of Florida Senator Gwen Margolis and State Representative Evan Jenne to pass legislation that will enhance criminal penalties for crimes committed with assault weapons.

“Having worked with fellow mayors on national and statewide policy, I praise Commissioner Marc Sarnoff for joining our efforts in placing this item on the commission agenda and I urge our City Commission to approve this item.

RED LIGHT CAMERAS: ITEM SR-1

“I am also pleased that we are joining 110 cities in 20 states, and at least 33 foreign countries that have installed “red light cameras” at intersections, adding yet another resource for lowering traffic fatalities.

“Nationwide, we suffer one million traffic injuries, the majority of which take place at intersections.  Statewide, over 10,000 people were injured in accidents directly related to red light runners.

“In Miami, our Operation Red Light/Green Light has already reduced traffic fatalities by 14% in the past year.  Yet, 51 people died in traffic related homicides last year alone.

“We have tirelessly advocated for red light camera legislation at the state capital and we fully support the efforts of State Senator Mike Bennet and Representative Ron Reagan to pass the ‘Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act.’  Yet, we simply cannot stand by year after year waiting for the state legislature to act while people continue to die or suffer injuries at our traffic intersections.

“Studies have shown that cameras reduce red light running by 40-50% and crashes by 25-30%.  This is a common sense way to make our streets and intersections safer.  This is why I fully urge the City Commission to pass Item SR-1, bringing safety to dangerous intersections.”