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Old 20-07-2011, 20:48   #1
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Sunset Lake / Miami Beach Police Ethics Investigation Complete

I have just received the completed ethics investigation into the behaviour of the Miami Beach police and the cruiser's buddy, Karlton.
Several posters in the original thread on this topic suggested that I was out of line for starting an investigation into this. I think the report itself is the best response I could possibly provide for those posters. It has uncovered several nuggets of information which we could in no other way have discovered.
It's interesting reading as you'll see, I'm including the file at 8 pages - hopefully, this will work out. If you have difficulty reading them, right-click on the page and open it in another tab, then enlarge it there, that should render it easily readable.
In a following post, I'll be pointing out some specific items in the report for you to ponder, and will post my remarks on them shortly.

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Old 20-07-2011, 21:11   #2
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Re: Sunset Lake, MB Police ethics investigation complete

A couple of points worth mentioning - according to the Chief's phone records, Karlton called at 5:47 pm, May 27. That was the call about me being anchored there, the one that the Chief passed on to Dispatch. That's why there was no record in the police files for the call - it was to the Chief's own cell phone. How convenient.
Another thing - Karlton isn't too bright. He's lost four??? four??? seadoos within what, 9 months? That doesn't pass the sniff test, I wonder what his insurers had to say about it?
Karlton has been cautioned by the police that he may be arrested for his behaviour. He isn't making friends here. I suspect the cops are cheering this whole issue, I'm sure they're tired of the twit.
Karlton also says that his behaviour isn't breaking any laws, but he's either wrong or lying - he's breaking the city's noise ordinance, which is quite specific, and was posted on another thread on this topic.
Out of 87 police calls in this entire neighbourhood, 27 of them are from Karlton. I wonder if he gets a volume discount from the MB PD?
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Old 20-07-2011, 21:27   #3
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Re: Sunset Lake, MB Police ethics investigation complete

Thanks for sharing.

This seems like a good example of the struggle that has been going on between water-front property owners and boaters anchored nearby. Although I don't agree with all of the actions on either side in this case I think that both sides have legitimate reasons to be frustrated and to wish for an improvement of the situation.

What I'd like to know is, are there any solutions that can improve things for the property owners short of restricting boater activity? If there isn't some way to ensure that boaters don't continue to do some of the things that Karlton reported in these documents then it is probably inevitable that we will lose many of our anchorages near developed areas and beyond. I'm on our (cruisers) side but it only takes a few on either side to spoil things for all of us and the majority (land-dwellers) will probably win.

I'm interested to see how this progresses and to see if another mooring field or cruising restriction results.

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Old 20-07-2011, 21:44   #4
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Re: Sunset Lake, MB Police ethics investigation complete

I've just written an article for SAIL addressing exactly this point. There are steps that can be taken by cruisers and, as you've noted, we must act, or lose our rights.
For sure, it wasn't a cruiser who stole those pwcs. I know cruisers who have lost dinghies, motors or both, in MB, it's not very secure there. A lot of the shoreside problems are coming from locals, perhaps not even ON boats for that matter. And if you're going to steal a seadoo, why would you anchor out in front of the victim's place before doing so. Simply doesn't make sense when you consider it. That's just Karlton looking to justify his irrationality about boaters in his view.
But yes, something needs to be done and Cruisers Forum is a great place to discuss it.
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Old 21-07-2011, 06:20   #5
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Re: Sunset Lake, MB Police ethics investigation complete

Nothing against you canucksailor, I applaud your efforts, keep up the good work.

However, those are the last places I would want to anchor at. We cruise to get away from the big cities and not to move back to one.
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Old 21-07-2011, 06:27   #6
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Re: Sunset Lake, MB Police ethics investigation complete

Not all of us avoid cities; the perfect sandy beach with two palm trees and a reef gets boring after a while.
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Old 21-07-2011, 06:54   #7
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Re: Sunset Lake, MB Police ethics investigation complete

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Originally Posted by Unicorn Dreams View Post
Nothing against you canucksailor, I applaud your efforts, keep up the good work.

However, those are the last places I would want to anchor at. We cruise to get away from the big cities and not to move back to one.
We always stop at South Beach before heading across to the Bahamas. Good grocery stores (2 Publix). Last stop for a decent restaurant meal, good haircut and cheap laundry. Not to mention the good hardware and auto parts stores.
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Old 21-07-2011, 08:47   #8
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Re: Sunset Lake, MB Police ethics investigation complete

I think, on the whole, that this turned out well. Now that he's had this happen, I'd bet there won't be too many more complaints, and if there are, the Police will handle it.

I'm guessing that their current policy is just as noted - homeowners are to call the police rather than confront (they ARE taxpayers), and the police will encourage the boaters to move. This is as far as MB can go towards "no anchoring" - and it makes sense from THEIR point of view: "Be very professional, pleasant, courteous, and ask the boater to leave."
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Old 21-07-2011, 08:55   #9
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Re: Sunset Lake, MB Police ethics investigation complete

If it was Australia that sort of investigation would have taken 3 years. If done at all.

I think it is an excelent job and now everyone knows the legal situation.

I too am amazed by the number of stolen Jet Skis. No possable way that would have been done by cruisers, but if he thinks its always being done by cruisers then you get some reason why he gets upset.

Most amazing is that the Police Chief gave up his phone records for this size investigation without a court order. Try that in any other country!!

I think its a good win for cruisers, albiet over a very local issue.

Well done canucksailor!

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Old 21-07-2011, 14:24   #10
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Re: Sunset Lake / Miami Beach Police Ethics Investigation Complete

Thanks for posting the results of the investigation. I too have to wonder about some guy who has 4 Jetskis stolen in 9 months. His insurance company must love him. You would figure that after the first one he'd get smart and make it more difficult to steal one, but I'd be surprised if he changed his habits in any way at all.

I also agree, being ticked at cruisers and other boats that anchor in front of his house and blaming them for the thefts is really stupid. Especially if the boat is still anchored there in the morning.
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Old 21-07-2011, 14:35   #11
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Re: Sunset Lake / Miami Beach Police Ethics Investigation Complete

NarkJ

Believe it or not, in the USA most police officers under investigation by Internas Affairs do NOT have the same rights as citizens. IA can enter there home seize records without warrants. Things may have changed since I was an Aux. Sheriff. So he had no choice in the matter...
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Old 21-07-2011, 14:59   #12
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Re: Sunset Lake / Miami Beach Police Ethics Investigation Complete

Other than various people are now aware that they can be called on the whole thing, it doesn't really appear that much got done. Don't get me wrong and attack me now as I am happy the investagation happened and hope its' lesson takes.

Hope those jet skies are locked finally!
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Old 21-07-2011, 15:08   #13
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Re: Sunset Lake / Miami Beach Police Ethics Investigation Complete

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Originally Posted by Don Lucas View Post
Other than various people are now aware that they can be called on the whole thing, it doesn't really appear that much got done. Don't get me wrong and attack me now as I am happy the investagation happened and hope its' lesson takes.

Hope those jet skies are locked finally!
There may not be any official sanctions, but what I read between the lines is that the Chief is aware that he is being watched, and that Karlton will probably be told to back off.

Maybe not much officially, but the fact this even went to an investigation will make those officials who were involved consider impacts of future actions.

A good result I would say, and very surprised at the speed the inquiry happened AND was completed.
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Old 21-07-2011, 15:17   #14
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Re: Sunset Lake / Miami Beach Police Ethics Investigation Complete

Personally, it seems to me that at the very least the police should be instructed in no uncertain terms that they are not to harass innocent boaters with no probably cause that a crime is being committed. The act of anchoring there is not a crime! The police have no right to harass ordinary citizens obeying the law. And, the land owner should be told that he can't file unwarranted complaints--I believe there are laws against that, as opposed to no laws that allow officials to hassle these innocent boaters.
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Old 21-07-2011, 15:32   #15
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Re: Sunset Lake / Miami Beach Police Ethics Investigation Complete

Does anyone other than me feel it is reasonable for a homeowner to question a boat parked off their back yard and expect the police to check it? If it was a car full of people behind your house would your answer change?

This does not mean that after checking that the police can tell the boat to move on. Just that the home owners do have real concerns to think of.
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