The Miami New Times just published Is North Miami Police Chief Trying to Silence a Local Blogger?
Yah, me.
Reporter Trevor Bach called me a few weeks ago after I posted Damage Control! and wanted to know the whole story. I was only too happy to give it to him.
The New Times is one of the few media outlets that take citizen journalists seriously. Heck, even Luther Campbell is a guest blogger there!
Not surprisingly, North Miami Police Chief Leonard Burgess refused Trevor Bach’s request for an interview.
Don’t feel bad, Trevor. He won’t talk to me, either.
The Chief has sent clandestine messages to me through various emissaries, though.
Unfortunately, I can’t find my Chex Agent Decoder Ring.
Despite all that, the offer still stands. As I told the New Times reporter, “If he wants an interview with me, let him have his secretary call and set up an interview.”
Until then, this “local blogger” will not be intimidated. Chief Leonard Burgess can try all he wants, but if he thinks I can be stifled…
Sorry. That’s so not gonna happen.
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
Burgess’ entire life has been an attempt to hide his true identity. He is of Panamanian descent, yet totally refused to speak Spanish or acknowledge his culture while at Miami Dade PD out of fear of “being found out” or not being considered “black enough”. Any person who renegues on his own heritage is not trustworthy. And speaking of trust, ask any female who ever worked around him about their trust for Burgess.
Unlike former North Miami Chief of Police/City Manager Stephen Johnson, and present Chief of Police Leonard Burgess, Aleem Ghany is a man of unquestioned honesty and character who has earned the respect of the community and those who work under him. Mr. Ghany, as City Manager, has the authority to remove Chief Burgess. It’s time to clean up the North Miami police department.
The residents of North Miami DESERVE a Chief of Police with a reputation of unquestioned honesty and character. Assistant Chief of Police Gary Eugene, a Haitian American, has been a police officer for over 30 years. “Gary holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Barry University, and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Miami-Dade College. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Southern Police Institute (S.P.I.) in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Senior Management Institute for Police Executives (S.M.I.P.) at Harvard’s Kennedy School.” ttp://www.northmiamipolice.com/about_nmpd/command_staff/eugene_gary.asp
I urge residents of North Miami to voice their opinions by contacting their council members and the city manager.
City Manager Aleem Ghany:
aghany@northmiamifl.gov
Mayor Smith Joseph:
sjoseph@northmiamifl.gov
Councilman Scott Galvin—District 1:
scott@scott-galvin.com
Councilwoman Carol Keys—District 2:
ckeys@northmiamifl.gov
Councilman Philippe Bien-Aime—District 3:
Pbien-aime@northmiamifl.gov
Councilwoman Marie Steril—District 4:
msteril@northmiamifl.gov
Ellen, despite the calls and emails from North Miami residents, it appears that Aleem is succumbing to pressure from the “Burgess Machine.” I understand Burgess has been sending his water carriers/spin doctors out into the community to toot his horn.
Unfortunately, Aleem being used as a pawn in Burgess’ game. Unfortunately, this might end up affecting his own position, as well.
The Chief can discount Rotschill Anderson and VotersOpinion all he wants, but when Channel 10’s Ross Palombo comes out with his story, I’m guessing there will be even more people who end up with egg on their faces.
The bigger problem is that when it all hits the fan, those who are running for re-election in May will bear the brunt of the unchecked corruption in the police department. Voters are going to demand answers and seek to oust those who did nothing about it while in office.
Just saying.
Stephanie, is their the FDLE (FDLA?)… that organization that polices the police, if there are issues that need to be dealt with, are they supposed to investigate it to come to their own objective conclusion?
Perhaps if people are so confident about their position and good nature, they should just submit themselves for investigation to clear their good name? And why was that officer who supposed to be disciplined by the NM force not handled by an outside bureau like the FDLA (if I have that right?). How does that work?
It’s FDLE. I believe the file has either been turned over to them or it will be. It will be interesting to see what happens from there.