Coral Gables, FL– The Coral Gables Police Department is grappling with significant staffing shortages, a challenge laid bare in a recent Instagram post by the Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 7. The post, featuring a line of seemingly out-of-service police vehicles, bore the stark headline: “WHAT DOES 37 VACANCIES LOOK LIKE?” This visual representation of the department’s current predicament has ignited concerns about public safety and officer welfare within the community.
The Gables Beacon, in pursuit of clarity on the issue, reached out to Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago for comment, though the request remained unanswered. Similarly, inquiries were directed towards the FOP, seeking insight into the motives behind their revealing post.”?
Christopher Challenger, President of Coral Gables FOP Lodge 7, responded with a candid explanation, highlighting the union’s intention to alert the community to the police department’s ongoing struggles with retaining its officers. According to Challenger, the root causes of the department’s dwindling numbers are multifaceted, with pay and benefits being the primary grievances. He also shed light on a concerning dip in morale among the force, noting, “There are quite a few officers that are waiting for departments to contact them for other job opportunities.”
This admission underscores a broader issue of job satisfaction and competitive compensation within the law enforcement sector, not just in Coral Gables but potentially across other departments. The city, known for its affluent neighborhoods and picturesque streets, may not have its public safety needs immediately visible to the casual observer. Thus, the revelation of such substantial staffing shortages starkly contrasts with the city’s polished image.
The current situation presents multiple challenges for Coral Gables. First, there’s the immediate concern of maintaining public safety with a depleted force. Additionally, the department must address the underlying issues contributing to its recruitment and retention woes. As it stands, the gap between the department’s operational needs and its current capabilities is widening, a trend that, if unchecked, could have far-reaching implications for the community’s well-being.
The revelation of these vacancies and the reasons behind them has sparked a conversation about the value placed on public safety personnel and the resources allocated to ensure their efficacy and satisfaction. As the community awaits a response from city officials, including Mayor Lago, the pressing question remains: How will Coral Gables address these challenges to restore its police department to full strength and morale? The answer to this question is crucial, not only for the officers directly affected but for the broader community’s safety and security.
What happened to Coral Gables Police Department? When I lived there it seemed like the department to be in. Cool cops, too. Got pulled over on my way to a gig by tall motor cop. No ticket!!
Nobody wants to be a cop anymore. Why would you? No respect, disregard for the law, no backing from brass… cherry on top is low pay.
The problems with Coral Gables Police Department:
1a: Pay / Benefits-
1b: Chief Ed Hudak- He is a cancer. Divides the police department
1c: Mayor Vince Lago: self serving, arrogant, rude, childish, and corrupt.
The Coral Gables Police Department should match the image of Coral Gables. I don’t see residents fleeing to other jurisdictions to buy houses. We probably have the hottest real estate market in South Florida. We should have one of the best compensated police departments in the area.
I guess Money talks or Officers walk..
Ed Hudak has to go! Vince Lago has to go! Remove those two cancers and the department can begine to heal!
Leadership failure: Ed Hudak
https://odysee.com/Curious-Case:d
This is what the highest rank in the department represents???
Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak spoke and texted with a University of Miami Football Coach who was accused of a lewd and lascivious incident. Chief Hudak is a liason between the Coral Gables Police Department and the University of Miami. The victim, a female janitor at the University of Miami was left to fend for herself while the Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak provided assistance to sex crime subject and University of Miami football coach, Josh Gattis.
Acabo de ver las noticias en Telemundo y no puedo creer que esto esté pasando en Coral Gables.
Better pay & benefits + removal of Chief Hudak = Increased morale and retention
Simple formula (a+b=c).
This has been brewing for a long time. Not surprising though. The mayor strung out negotiations with the fire department. Then he threatened to lower taxes to spite the fire department, upcoming police contract and the city workers contract.
Mayor Lago is not for himself. Unfortunately for him he thought it was just a ploy that officers were leaving. That ploy is 37 vacancies and growing.
The approval rating of the sitting mayor is somewhere below freezing. Winter has come.
The City Beautiful has fallen on hard times. Gables residents think everything is okay, but behind closed doors is total chaos. Lago smiling in his Instagram pictures at ribbon cuttings and public events… all the while the police department is bleeding officers to other agencies. City workers are going to work at Target and Jiffy Lube. Yet, Lago acts like everything is okay.
Bury your head in the sand if you want, but GOD help the residents if any semi-major incident occurs. It’s a matter of time.
I would love to get into the Police Chief Ed Hudak, but I don’t have enough time. I will say this.. Power corrupts and Absolute power corrupts absolutely.. apparently it destroys a police department, too! Coral Gables was once considered best in Florida. How the mighty have fallen…
Lago Must GO!!!
LagoMustGO.com
Wanna know why? Starts with leadership.
https://youtu.be/7pR21Bi8huQ?si=Fdhvcy-eio-btPbO