MIAMI – Relief may be on the way for people in Miami Beach who are going through homelessness.

City leaders announced a summer initiative Monday that encourages people in the vulnerable population to accept services and shelter. However, critics say it comes with a harmful ultimatum: Accept help or face arrest.

The mayor, commissioners, police chief and leaders of Miami Beach homeless outreach said Operation Summer Relief will deliver an extra boost of resources offered, including access to shelters,             

“I think it’s horrifying,” Kat Duesterhaus, an activist, said.  “I was homeless at the age of 16 and if it weren’t for the kindness of someone putting me up in housing I could have been arrested here in Miami Beach.

“I’m not leaving,” Rodrick, a man who says he lives on the streets and in public places in Miami Beach, said. 

The 54-year-old from Liberty City who walks with a limp said he is too disabled to work, cannot afford a mortgage or rent, feels at home in various places on the barrier island and has no plans to move to a shelter, even if forced. 

“Ever hear Papa was a rolling stone?” he said laughing. “That was a joke.  I have my spots that I like.  I don’t like crowds.  I’m basically always by myself.”

However, he knows the initiative brings change.

“Do not mistake our compassion for weakness,” Mayor Steven Meiner said.  “There is a strong enforcement element.”

The plan is to “compassionately” encourage people experiencing homelessness to accept room at shelters, mental health care and support delivered by increasing numbers of outreach teams, non-profits, city staff and volunteers.

Those who refuse help face police armed with the authority to move people out of parks and off beaches and sidewalks.

“Public spaces are for the public, period,” Meiner said. “There should not be a person sleeping on public property.”

“We don’t focus on arrests like people are saying,” Chief Wayne Jones said as three protesters shouted at him during a press conference Monday.  “(What) we focus on is connecting with people to approach it through a position of empathy.”

Just how supportive is the Miami Dolphins fan base?

A recent study from OLBG.com (Online Betting Guide) revealed that teams consistently sold out their games and generated the most conversations online over the past ten years. The study also measured the amount of fan positivity or negativity. The goal? To gauge which fanbase was the most supportive in the NFL.

The Dolphins have had the sixth-most supportive fanbase in the league throughout the past decade. Their percentage of stadiums filled was 98 percent during the 2013-2014 season, climbing to 101 percent during the 2023-2024 season. The number of fans increased by two percent over the decade.

The Dolphins had 2,000,000 online mentions. Twelve percent of the online conversations were positive, and 24 percent were negative. The Dolphins’ online mentions by capacity was 30.6 percent.

The Dolphins were the highest-rated AFC East team, with an overall score of 55.8 (out of 100). The New England Patriots were next, placing 14th. Despite their success, they saw an eight percent decrease in fans.

The Patriots’ percentage of a packed stadium dropped from 104 to 96 percent. The amount of negative chatter nearly doubled the positive. The Patriots finished with an overall score of 44.1, tied with the Denver Broncos.

The Buffalo Bills, with an overall score of 40.7, ranked No. 18. The New York Jets, with an overall score of 35.9, ranked near the bottom of the rankings at No. 26.

The number one team on the list is the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys sported an impressive 110 percent capacity of stadium filled, which increased throughout the decade to 117 percent in 2023-2024. The Cowboys were part of 3,000,000 million online mentions. Only the Kansas City Chiefs were higher at 5,000,000. The Cowboys’ 67.4 overall score was the highest, of course.

The Dolphins, ranked sixth on the list, could see those numbers bolstered in time. The product on the field is more than worthy of the support. South Florida has a playoff-caliber team with an offense that is not just powerful, but high-powered, arguably one of the most high-powered offenses in the league.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – At least one person was taken into custody Monday morning after Miami Gardens police and multiple federal agencies served a warrant at a home.

Miami Gardens police confirmed that a federal operation was unfolding at a home in the area of Northwest Seventh Avenue and 179th Terrace.

Miami Gardens police officers were spotted at the scene along with FBI agents and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Sky 10 was above the scene as a man was placed in handcuffs. A couple of children were spotted nearby.

Police confirmed that the warrant was served peacefully and there were no threats or injuries.

Further details about the warrant were not immediately disclosed.