It appears likely that the Dec. 28 Brightline crash in Delray Beach was a one-off, not evidence of widespread institutional problems at the fire department.
This week, the city also released the findings of an outside investigation into whether members of the department had been driving vehicles without having a valid license. City Commissioner Juli Casale raised the issue during the first meeting after a train collided with a ladder truck that had driven around the gates at Southeast First Avenue near Atlantic Avenue.
Casale said to City Manager Terrence Moore, “I am not at all happy with the fact that the city is withholding information from the commission. How can we possibly do that comfortably for the residents if you are keeping us in the dark? And if you have firefighters in your department that are driving our fire apparatuses without a valid driver’s license, residents deserve to know, and we certainly deserve to know. How many? I’d like that answer.” Social media posts amplified the accusation.
According to the city, the Tampa-based law firm Johnson Jackson did find “procedural and policy issues related to Fire-Rescue’s driver’s license verification process, as well as gaps in administrative oversight.” But the investigation “did not find evidence of willful, wanton or malicious intent by any city personnel to violate city or fire rescue policies.”
David Wyatt, who was driving the ladder truck, had a valid license. So did all other personnel on the truck, which had been responding to an emergency call. The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, which issued Wyatt a civil citation, confirmed that the 911 recall of vehicles from that call happened after the collision.
Separately, Johnson Jackson is investigating the collision itself for any policy or procedure violations. Moore could not say Wednesday when that investigation might be complete. Wyatt remains on leave pending those findings. The police department also has not completed its investigation into the department’s handling of a 2023 crash involving Wyatt while driving his personal vehicle.
It remains surprising that fire-rescue employees would let their licenses lapse and supposedly not be aware of it. The next commission meeting is March 11.
As he did when Johnson Jackson began its work, Moore said the city will make changes to correct problems the investigation found. As I have written, any institutional issues seem dated to the time when Keith Tomey was chief. Moore fired Tomey last May and replaced him with Ronald Martin.
Boca Housing Authority Vice Chair agrees to settlement in ethics case
Angela McDonald, vice chair of the Boca Raton Housing Authority, has agreed to a settlement in which she acknowledges two violations of state ethics laws.
Under the stipulation, which the Florida Commission on Ethics must approve, McDonald would receive a “public censure and reprimand” and pay a fine of $500 per violation. The issue is on the commission’s March 7 meeting agenda.
I reported last month that the commission’s investigator had found probable cause to charge McDonald with two of three charges in a complaint filed by Gary Richardson, a former Housing Authority board member. The charges stemmed from McDonald’s wish to attend a training session in New Orleans.
When the authority paid only some of the expenses, McDonald raised the balance through crowdfunding. That was one violation, the investigator’s report said. McDonald also failed to disclose a gift of more than $100.
McDonald told me Wednesday that, despite the findings, she remains qualified to serve on the board. “I did not do anything maliciously or intentionally. I relied on [authority board] members who had been there longer than me that I didn’t have to disclose.”
McDonald lives in Dixie Manor, the authority’s main community. It will be demolished this year and rebuilt as Martin Manor. “I need to be there for my community,” McDonald said.
Richardson said he will not ask the council to remove McDonald. “I saw something that wasn’t right, and I acted,” he said. “I leave it in the hands of the elected officials.”
Speed cameras headed to Boca’s school zones
Boca Raton will install speed cameras in school zones.
During Monday’s workshop meeting, city council members heard a presentation on the plan. The program will resemble those that cities and counties have enacted under a law that the Legislature passed in 2023.
Drivers could receive tickets if the camera caught them driving more than 10 miles per hour above the posted limit during the school day—roughly from 30 minutes before drop-off to 30 minutes after pickup. Fines can range from $100 to $200. Where the fine is $100, the local government gets $65, the state gets $25, and the school district gets $23.
According to a staff presentation, the most dangerous school zone between 2018 and 2023 was at Blue Lake Elementary on Military Trail near Spanish River Boulevard. There were 89 crashes. Second, with 85 crashes, was the zone for Omni Middle School and Spanish River High School at Yamato and Jog roads. Then came Calusa Elementary, farther to the northwest.
Sixteen school zones would be eligible. The staff recommendation was to begin with six—Addison Mizner School, Blue Lake, Calusa, Omni/Spanish River, Boca Raton High and J.C. Mitchell Elementary. The last two are the only ones in the eastern part of the city. Interestingly, though, Boca High is across from the busy University Commons and the proposed ordinance refers to “heightened safety risks.” Only nine recorded crashes took place in that zone.
The city could add other zones, the proposed ordinance reads, “based on updated traffic studies, school zone data, public safety assessments and other relevant evidence.” The city would have to conduct an education campaign and post signs warning drivers of the fine. A trained hearing office would have to review all violations. Drivers could appeal the fine.
Council members had questions, such as whether to include all zones from the start. The city hopes to start the program in time for the next school year.
Boca supports bill that would crack down on distracted driving
Council members see school-zone cameras as part of implementing Boca Raton’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate fatal and serious crashes. In accordance with that policy, the council Tuesday approved a resolution in support of House Bill 501.
It has been filed for the legislative session that begins March 4. It would make text or talking while driving a “primary offense” if the driver was not using a hands-free device. Law enforcement officers can stop drivers for primary offenses. Distracted driving is now a secondary offense, meaning drivers are liable only if stopped for something else.
Democrats filed the bill. Republicans previously have opposed such measures supposedly based on personal freedom, despite ample evidence that distracted driving is dangerous. HB 501 likely will go nowhere.
More on Delray’s police contract dispute
Delray Beach continues the city’s pushback against allegations stemming from the police union’s declaration of an impasse in contract talks.
Union members have implied that failure to agree to the union’s demands threaten public safety. This week, the city issued a news release claiming that violent crime is down 70% since 1996, and property crimes have dropped 65%. Despite recent resignations, the city says, “There have been no reductions in patrols, emergency response capabilities or crime prevention efforts.”
