MIAMI (CBSMiami) – North Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Rand announced that a criminal investigation has been opened into the still-evacuated Crestview Towers.
It was another disappointing development for the distressed residents of the 10-story 156-unit building in 2025 NE 164th St.
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It is not known when they will be able to live there again.
Resident Carlos Calle showed a CBS4 iPhone video of the evacuation and said, “I am disappointed that I cannot return to my house. All of my personal things are there and I love this place. “
Resident Nori Morales, who lives on the 10th floor, said: “Right now I’m going through so much and it’s so difficult.”
Both Morales and Calle are now living with friends.
Approximately 300 residents were evacuated last Friday and the building was closed after the condominium association board of directors issued a 40-year recertification report dated Nov.
Chief Rand told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench that he had responded to email messages and complaints that “there has been a history of possible misappropriation of funds by this association and associations. I am not saying that it has been proven, just that there is a possibility. “
Rand couldn’t tell how much money it was, but he said, “As the chief of police, I opened an investigation to hear the residents of this apartment building. I can tell you that we take this very seriously. We will get to the bottom of this and give the residents the answers they deserve.
He said his department will subpoena records and is working with the State Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
CBS4 contacted an attorney on the Condominium Association Board, but did not hear from the attorney.
On Tuesday, the board released a new report on electrical and structural repairs. The report also included new photos showing corrosion and columns, slabs, joints, balconies and the roof in need of concrete refurbishment.
The report also states: “We conclude that the damage to the components did not affect the structural integrity of the building. We certify that the building is structurally safe for further use while emergency concrete repairs are being carried out. “
But city manager Arthur H. Sorey said the city rejected this report because the documents did not meet the 40-year recertification process and did not address issues.
Sorey said, “The city rejected these reports because they failed to follow the recertification process. More importantly, they did not address the issues raised during the 40 year condominium recertification. “
“I cannot stress enough that this is a very serious situation and that we have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that these homes and this building are safe,” said Sorey.
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In addition, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue re-inspected the building in April to assess fire safety and cited the building for 18 violations, including inadequate emergency lighting, lack of emergency power generators and fire equipment, and more. The violations are still pending, “he said.
Other problems reportedly related to fire pumps and hoses and outlets, as well as the sprinkler system.
Documents show fines of just over $ 500,000 are pending.
It is not known when residents will be able to return to their building.
The city says the building will need to submit a new 40-year certification report that addresses any structural and electrical issues.
Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, said his organization helped 55 people and their six dogs and three cats. There are 12 children among the evacuees.
Book said, “We recognize that all of these families in our community have long-term housing needs.”
The book also had a compelling story.
“We had a gentleman who moved his kid here from Denver three weeks ago to take a job at Delta Airlines,” said Book. “He put his savings to live here in the building and paid security for the first month, last month, and a month. There is no telling whether this gentleman will ever get this money back. “
Book said, “I can assure you that we are not going to leave the city of North Miami Beach and the people who were evicted from the building and that there is now a potential threat to their health and well-being.”
Book said anyone who needed help from the Homeless Trust should call their office at (305) 375-1490. “You can also call my personal cell phone at (305) 510-2000.”
Chief Rand said Friday that Crestview Towers residents have 15 minutes to enter the building and their homes to collect medicines and valuables.
“It takes 15 minutes to get on and off,” said Rand. “Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.”
The residents are accompanied by the police.
Nori Morales said she would be there.
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“In these 15 minutes I will face Wonder Woman and do my best. I will get things that are very important to me, ”she said.
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