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Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Miami Herald
Hispanic officers allege mistreatment in Miami Gardens, call for chief's removal
Five Hispanic male police officers have notified Miami Gardens that they intend to file a class-action whistleblower lawsuit claiming they were the targets of racial discrimination. The Miami Gardens officers — who said they were suspended or demoted after filing complaints of unfair treatment with the city — have also demanded the termination of Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt, named the city's first female Black chief in the largest Black majority city in Florida in 2017. 'The current police chief is out of control in terms of the mistreatment and abuse of officers, in particular Hispanic officers and officers who complain about wrongdoing,' Attorney Michael Pizzi said from a conference room at his Miami Lakes law office Wednesday, four of the five officers at his side. Miami Gardens police officers Juan Gonzalez, Christian Vega, Francisco Mejido, Rudy Hernandez and Sgt. Pedro Valdes all said they were retaliated against by command staff after questioning promotions, discipline and how rules are enforced internally. Federal complaint filed The officers have already filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Under federal law, the EEOC has up to 180 days to conduct an investigation into claims of discrimination or it must issue a notice of right to sue, allowing the officers to seek damages through a lawsuit. A whistleblower lawsuit can be filed in 30 days after giving the city notice. Sgt. Valdes claims he was relieved of duty for six months, forced to sit home 10 hours a day with pay — without any type of explanation. 'I was told, go home. No cause,' Valdes said. 'It's demoralizing because I have family members, including my wife, who's a police officer there. To play with our emotions and mental state for no reason — it's not right.' Miami Gardens Police executive officer Emmanuel Jeanty wouldn't go into detail about the reasons Valdes was relieved of duty, but said it was 'false' that the officer wasn't given a reason. 'He was informed and signed paperwork,' Jeanty said. The city did not comment on the officers' accusations when asked Wednesday. The police department, however, stood behind its decisions involving them. 'As the chief of police, I have every right to make the transfers or demotions that I see fit,' Noel-Pratt said. Miami Gardens, with a population of 110,000, is 71% Black and 26% Hispanic, according to the city's website. The police department's officers, in comparison, are 48% Black and 36% Hispanic as of 2024, according to data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Claims of demotions, harassment, abuse The officers claimed the targeted harassment campaign by the department left them with severe mental and emotional stress, even PTSD. Pizzi noted that some of the officers who served in the U.S. military were shocked and appalled that interactions with fellow officers were where they experienced trauma, not on the battlefield or on the streets fighting crime. Valdes, a 17-year Miami Gardens police veteran, said he was relieved of duty for six months without explanation and was only recently reinstated last week. Valdes said he had led a violent crime unit credited with reducing crime by 14%, only to be abruptly removed and reassigned. He also alleged that the department has systematically replaced experienced Hispanic and white officers with younger Black officers. Officer Francisco Mejido, a 13-year Miami Gardens police veteran, said his K-9 partner was taken away and he was removed from the unit after a minor body camera violation — even though his replacement had the same infraction. 'I had to break that news to my two young kids, to my wife,' Mejido said. 'Ever since then, the agency has come after me with multiple forms of discipline.' He also spoke of a broader issue of inconsistent disciplinary practices and favoritism within the department. Officer Juan Gonzalez, a 12-year Miami Gardens police veteran, described being reprimanded for speaking to other Hispanic officers at a crime scene. 'I was scolded for talking to Hispanic officers on scene,' Gonzalez said. 'I was followed by my supervisor in a threatening manner, in a hostile fighting position, with both fists clenched.' Gonzalez said he was demoted and removed from a federal task force assignment, resulting in a loss of income. The officers say their complaints to internal affairs, the city manager and human resources have been ignored. Now, they're turning to the courts. 'They've all stood up and complained,' Pizzi said. 'And they've all been targeted as a result of their complaints.' Miami Herald staff writer Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report.
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Miami Herald
18-04-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Contrary to what RFK Jr. claims, my daughter's autism isn't part of an ‘epidemic'
Autism is no 'crisis' As a neuroscientist and father to a remarkable autistic daughter, I strongly reject U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s claim that rising autism rates represent a 'preventable epidemic.' The increase in autism diagnoses reflects better awareness, broader criteria and greater equity for marginalized groups. It's not a crisis. Kennedy's rhetoric revives harmful myths about vaccines and 'toxins,' stigmatizing families and distracting from what really matters: support and inclusion. Autistic people don't need to be 'cured' or 'prevented,' they need accommodations, access to healthcare and opportunities to thrive. My daughter, like millions of others, benefits from assistive technologies and acceptance, not fear-mongering. Kennedy's approach, including hiring discredited researchers, risks wasting resources and fueling discrimination. Instead of chasing imaginary causes, we must invest in therapies, education and community support, guided by autistic voices. Autism isn't a tragedy. However, the narrative that treats autistic people as problems to be solved is a tragedy. Let's celebrate neurodiversity, reject stigmatizing language and build a society where all minds are valued. Difference isn't a defect — it's a source of strength, innovation and empathy. That's the future my daughter and all autistic people deserve. David Ruttenberg, Boca Raton Fair housing In 1983, Florida lawmakers enacted the Florida Fair Housing Act, reinforcing the state's commitment to ensuring all residents receive fair and equitable treatment in housing transactions. This legislation mirrors the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, adapting its provisions to address the needs of Floridians. Under Florida's Fair Housing Act, individuals are protected from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, sex, religion and familial status. This applies to renting, buying, financing and advertising. The Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) is the state agency responsible for enforcing these laws. FCHR investigates complaints of discrimination, provides mediation services and educates the public on their rights and responsibilities, including renting or buying, landlords, real estate agents, property managers, mortgage lenders and other housing providers across the state. If you have faced housing discrimination within the past year, complaints may be filed at no cost and our FCHR team works to resolve cases efficiently. To learn more about your rights or to file a complaint, visit Together, we can ensure equal housing opportunities for all Floridians. Larry Hart, chair, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Tallahassee Utility shutoffs On April 9, I sat in the pews of New Hope Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale for a community town hall as residents shared stories of skyrocketing utility bills and shutoffs during medical emergencies. These are not isolated incidents — they reflect a growing crisis playing out in households across our community. Last summer, South Florida experienced record-breaking temperatures. Yet this legislative session, Tallahassee lawmakers are refusing to even hear the PAUSE Act — a bill that would ban utility shutoffs due to nonpayment during periods of extreme heat. As a result, statewide protections remain nonexistent. Meanwhile, the safety nets people rely on are shrinking. On April 1, the entire staff of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was terminated. Moreover, Broward County's LIHEAP applications are closed due to overwhelming demand. With summer approaching, Florida Power & Light is seeking a $9 billion rate hike — the largest in U.S. history. Yet, Florida's Public Service Commission has scheduled just seven hearings for a rate hike that would impact more than 12 million customers. Floridians deserve better. The Public Service Commission must stop green-lighting unjust rate hikes and lawmakers must act before the next heat wave arrives. Stella Nunes, Coral Springs Fashion victim Ukrainian President Zelenskyy went to the Oval Office and was berated by President Trump and his lackeys for not wearing a coat and tie when in the presence of our Dear Leader. They said it showed 'inner disrespect' for the United States. When the 'coolest dictator,' El Salvador President Bukele, visited the Oval Office dressed like he was auditioning for a remake of 'Miami Vice' (without a coat and tie), he got no snarky comments, but much fawning. Little things say a lot. John Jarnagin, Key Largo Voting burden In a democracy, voting is a right, not a privilege reserved for those who jump over bureaucratic hurdles. However, that's exactly what the SAVE Act would impose: a rigid citizenship verification process blocking tens of millions of eligible voters from participating, with the cruelest effects falling on women and low-income families. According to U.S. State Department data, about 60% of citizens don't hold a passport. Yet the SAVE Act would treat passports as the gold standard for proving citizenship. Obtaining a passport costs at least $130 — not an expense everyone can afford. Under this legislation, if a voter doesn't have a passport when registering to vote, they must produce a birth certificate and current government ID with the same legal name. This would disenfranchise more than 68 million women who legally changed their names when they married. That's not just unreasonable, it's voter suppression wrapped in red tape and disguised as a reform. I call on U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody to uphold the rights of Florida voters, especially those more likely to be burdened by these unnecessary requirements, and vote 'No' on the SAVE Act. Steven M. Perez, Miami Bench press The U.S. judicial system must develop some backbone and stand up to President Trump's administration. The latest episode in Trump's disregard for the judiciary is his administration's completely unbelievable position that it cannot get El Salvador to return Kilmar Ábrego García after he was illegally deported. The judiciary must hold the administration in contempt and enforce actions against all those involved in this miscarriage of justice. The judiciary appears to be the only branch of government with the ability, or at times the desire, to enforce our laws. Howard B. Lucas, Miami Giménez must act On April 7, U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez and his office did not respond to my questions about whether he supports impeaching President Trump. As a citizen and a voter, I am quite unhappy with this lack of foresight and leadership from my district's representative. Trump is obviously leading the country into authoritarianism. His threats not to leave at the end of this term are credible. Hyperbole about the danger of this administration, from immigration to economy, have become reality. He and his cabinet are lawless, unaccountable to our justice system. If we don't impeach him now, American democracy may not survive. I encourage Giménez to publicly commit to upholding his most fundamental democratic role — removing tyrants from office. A commitment to basic facts — that Trump is a tyrant and Congress must act to get him out of the White House — will be a major litmus test for any 2026 candidate. Will Giménez do the right thing for this country and our future? Danielle Edghill, West Kendall Troubled nation At 18, I was a permanent resident of the United States and enlisted in the Army. I served on active duty. My unit was nearly deployed to war twice. I was highly trained and ready to give my life for this great country that gave my family and I everything. I have always believed the U.S. stands for the highest principles of democracy and defends those who cannot. Today, at age 51, I see this belief weakening daily and it pains my heart. I think of the many men and women who valiantly gave their lives for our nation's principles. I do not presume to have all the answers, but we are better than our present reality. I can only hope we return to compassion, principles, respect for the rule of law and our duty to stand up for the most vulnerable. Ramon L. Mendez, Miami
