Signs of the Times
Proposal to Remove Loitering Signs From Public Street Ends Sparks Debate

Channel Seven Anchor Belkys Nerey likes the “No Fishing” sign by her street-end just fine. And so do her petition-signing neighbors.

By Evan Berkowitz

They can be seen at waterfront street ends all over Surfside — signs that state “No Fishing No Swimming. No Diving. No Loitering” and cite a Miami-Dade ordinance.

But those street ends are public and Surfside officials discussed whether or not those signs should be taken down, during the town commission’s Dec. 12 meeting.

Commissioner Mark Blumstein brought forward the idea of removing the signs that currently are posted at all waterfront street ends “so residents may fish and/or enjoy the natural beauty of Surfside.” Blumstein also suggested adding “benches at street ends.”

After researching the matter and discussing it with Town Manager W.D. Higginbotham and Town Attorney Lynn M. Dannheisser Blumstein believed that those county codes did not apply to Surfside, and that they discourage residents from using these picturesque spots for fishing, congregating or just enjoying the view.

Belkys Nerey, a news anchor for WSVN-TV Channel 7 and a Surfside resident, said she lived near one of these spots and that the signs do not discourage most residents from enjoying waterfront areas. Nerey and her neighbors are in favor of allowing local people to use them as mini-parks, but are very concerned about anti-social individuals from outside the town coming to their block and creating problems.

The signs, Nerey said, help keep the bad elements out. “What we don’t want is a free-for-all, what we don’t want are non-residents trampling through the neighborhood and just making it an invitation to a party that doesn’t belong to them,” she said.

Several other residents spoke about potential criminals coming into town, vagrants sleeping on the benches, or outsiders littering and creating noise and nuisance.

Nerey pointed out that her and her neighbors contribute to the upkeep of these street end areas, performing landscape work, picking up garbage, and sometimes conducting post-storm clean ups. “We maintain that area,” she said, noting that they once paid $600 of their own money to remove a tree.

The TV personality read from a letter stating that her neighbors were against allowing the street ends areas to be accessible to the general public and even presented the commission a petition.

Mayor Charles Burkett asked for a show of hands in the commission chambers. Approximately 15 people raised their hands when asked if they were against removing the signs. Only about 2 were in favor of it.

Richard Iacobacci, who serves on the Planning and Zoning Board, said that during the recent town charrette they discussed creating a community that allowed people to enjoy the outdoor amenities more. He said that while it is important to be sensitive to the legitimate concerns of people who live close to these street ends, ultimately they belong to the town not to the handful of homeowners. “They don’t own it,” he said and urged the commission to arrive at a “positive solution for everybody.”

Blumstein said that the signs “may deter our own residents” from using the spots and that it was not appropriate for private parties to be maintaining public areas and the police can handle any vagrants hanging out at the street-ends.

A “sign is a law enforcement tool,” noted Commissioner Steven Levine, who said police could use them as an “excuse” to deal with troublemakers in those areas. However, Levine said he did not like feeling he was breaking the law by being at the street ends himself.

Vice Mayor Howard Weinberg said Surfside must have “special sensitivity” to those living adjacent to the street ends who feel as though they have “strangers” coming “in their back yard.” While noting that the homeowners did not have exclusive rights to use these spots, he said the mini-parks should be closed after sunset, the signs should remain, and fishing from street ends should be banned.

But to address the desires of residents who like to cast their lines into the bay, Weinberg said he is currently working to create a public fishing area for the community.

Burkett said this complicated and controversial subject should be worked through further at the committee level.

Comments? E-mail letters@miamisunpost.com.