(Miami, Florida)—City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz joined by Commissioner Angel Gonzalez, District 1, Commissioner Joe Sanchez, District 3 and City Manager Joe Arriola, crushed over 20 illegal gambling machines confiscated by the Miami Police Department Quality of Life Task Force during a press conference held on, Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at City of Miami General Services Administration Department located at 1390 NW 20 Street.

"These gambling machines are being operated in illegal establishments that act as havens for drugs, prostitution and organized crime,” said Mayor Manny Diaz. “We have been very successful in cracking down on these illicit activities thanks to the ongoing efforts of our Quality of Life Task Force.”

The illegal gambling machines which appear to be innocuous video games, are really machines that as the result of the insertion of any piece of money operate by chance and the operator receives something of value in return. The city in an effort to improve the quality of life of its neighborhoods created the Quality of Life Task Force to help eliminate illegal activities that take place in illegal cafeterias and other establishments.

“We will continue to crack down on illegal gambling, prostitution and abandoned automobiles to clear the city of these activities,” said Commissioner Angel Gonzalez, the City’s Quality of Life Czar. “This Task Force will enforce all the codes as allowed by the law to make sure our citizens have crime-free neighborhoods in our city.”

“Our Quality of Life Task Force continues to be the voice in our community,” said Commissioner Joe Sanchez, Chairman of the Commission. “I am excited to hear that citizens are participating in this effort and encourage them to continue to help rid the city of crimes that affect our neighborhoods by providing us with valuable information.”

To date, there have been over 800 inspected businesses of which there have been 1,206 arrests; 783 gambling machines confiscated; 1,526 code citations; 1,287 building and electrical violations; 1,658 fire department violations; 303 businesses open without licensing; 298 businesses open without certificate of use. In addition to gambling, arrests have been made for the possession of drugs or guns, and organized crime.