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Miami CRA to test Pilot Program Aimed at Protecting Vacant Buildings Using State-Of-The-Art

Security Screens

--Several Security Screens will be installed, free of charge, on massive CRA owned building near Overtown and may serve as model for nearby Municipalities—

(Miami, FL May 4, 2011)---Omni CRA Chairman Marc Sarnoff, Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Chairman Richard P. Dunn, Midtown CRA Chairman Francis Suarez, CRA Board Members Wifredo “Willy” Gort and Frank Carollo, and CRA Executive Director Pieter A. Bockweg will join representatives from Vacant Property Specialists (VPS), Miami City Manager Tony Crapp Jr, and other local leaders to announce a new pilot program aimed at protecting public investment and reducing community blight by securing vacant buildings. The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 5th, at 10:30 am at 50 NW 14th Street.

The VPS security product features steel window screens, which allow in light and ventilation, but are nearly impenetrable. The shield would replace plywood panels, which are normally used on vacant property, but are easily removed by vandals and squatters and need constant replacement. “Windows covered in plywood also contribute to the perception of blight within a community, and can be an indication of criminal activity,” says Bockweg.

“We’ve asked VPS to allow the CRA to use these panels free of charge to determine if they are a solution to the challenge of securing vacant property from issues like vandalism, theft, drug-use, and prostitution, that are currently plaguing neighborhoods in our community,” says Omni CRA Chairman Sarnoff.

Leaders from other South Florida communities have been invited by the CRA to view the demonstration and learn more about the system.

VPS Video Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hCWFub1_Uc For more information call David Karsh at (305) 679-6819.  

 

Angel Zayon
Approved
azayon@miamigov.com