Survey is out — just as the mayor faces re-election
Affordable housing? Traffic? Well-paying jobs? Finding reliable child care or elderly programs?
How about all of the above?
Miami-Dade County wants to know what residents need and/or lack most and are working with the Florida International University Jorge M. Perez Metropolitan Center to conduct the 2024 Community Needs Assessment. The purpose is reportedly to identify needed social services in our communities.
But, then, why does it ask the respondent if she or he votes? Hmmmm?
It also seems that the survey, which is being done coincidently a couple of weeks before absentee or mail-in ballots go out, promotes incumbent Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who has a slew of challengers in the August election, including Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid.
Read related: PAC launches new video ad attack on ‘Disastrous Daniella’ Levine Cava
Under the “public safety” section, it states: “Every resident of Miami-Dade County deserves to feel safe in every part of the county. We understand that the safest communities are those in which people’s needs are met. We believe that it is time to take a more comprehensive approach to public safety that addresses the root causes of insecurity, and that reforms the criminal justice system and the scope, scale, and inequity of that system.
“Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is reviewing he full extent of our County criminal justices system to implement effective and cost-saving actions that include prevention, early intervention, diversion, transition and re-entry to the community upon release.”
One of the questions asked respondents which of the following options to improve public safety they would support, listing support services for released inmates, foot and bike patrols, deploying social workers with first responders, taking care of blight and adding street lights, increase anti gun programs, and providing alternatives to incarceration for low-level non-violent offenders.
Most of it sounds like the social programs that Levine Cava advocates.
Respondents are also asked if they are concerned about access to food, healthcare, parenting skills, child care, tutoring, employment, affordable elderly care, substance abuse treatment and other services.
Results of the anonymous online survey, which is available here to all Miami-Dade residents 18 years old or older, will go back to the county’s Community Action Human Services Department. It can be in English, Spanish or Haitian Creole. Assistance is available at certain public libraries. For more information call (786) 469-4600, or visit www.miamidade.gov/socialservices.
Additional in-person opportunities for feedback will be available through scheduled in-person focus groups following the closure of the survey. Ladra has already volunteered. Let’s see if they pick me.
What do we need, Miami-Dade County? Your government, mayor wants to know added by Ladra on
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