All-Grove Crime Watch Halloween Update

City of Miami Police Grove District Commander Jorge Martin and Grove Neighborhood Resource Officers (NROs) Leo Carrillo and Joe Guell state that they anticipate especially large numbers of visitors to Coconut Grove this Halloween as the celebration falls on a Saturday this year.

However, no street closings are anticipated UNLESS crowds become a pedestrian safety issue.

If crowds do become a pedestrian safety issue, anticipated street closings could possibly include Grand Avenue at 32nd Ave, as well as other locations along Grand, including Virginia at Grand and Mary at Grand.

Possible additional closings if crowds become a safety issues are Main at Franklin, and McFarlane near the entrance to St. Stephen’s Church.

NROs Carrillo and Guell will be in the area Halloween night, and you can contact them on their cells below if you have any problems:

NRO Carrillo: (305) 389-7996

NRO Guell: (305) 303-9163

Please be aware that Halloween presents opportunities for criminals, as they can commit crimes behind the (dis)guise of a Halloween mask.

So please be mindful of your surroundings, and stay with a group rather than be alone, as criminals are much more likely to target lone individuals rather than persons in a group.

Additional All-Grove Crime Watch Updates:

Persons reportedly representing ATT and trying to sell ATT services in the late afternoon and evening continue to be a problem for residents of the South Grove.

Please know that any ATT service can be ordered via telephone and internet without the need to discuss these services with ATT sales contractors in your neighborhood.

Please report these sales reps to the NROs listed above.

Please be sure to set your home alarm anytime you leave your home.

If you do not have a home alarm, please get one.

Studies show you are much more likely to be a victim of home burglary if you do not have a home alarm that is activated and used.

Please be sure to empty your vehicle of all items — particularly any GPS device or even GPS device holder — to prevent break-ins.

Please hire only licensed and insured yard, pool and/or home repair/maintenance persons.

Please do NOT hire any yard or pool or repair maintenance persons who are NOT licensed and insured.

There have been several instances where residents hired someone who knocked on their door for work –saying they had a referral from a neighbor –  only later to discover that they had been burglarized by this same person.

At this month’s All-Grove Crime Watch meeting, Assistant State Attorney Kionne McGhee praised Grove District Police Commander Martin and his Grove District team and the All-Grove Crime Watch members for their work which has led to successful prosecution of criminals and a continued reduction in the number of crimes committed in the Grove.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!