The City of Sports: Miramar, Florida

              The city of Miramar, Florida is located in Broward County. The city has twenty-two neighborhood parks and five community parks. Miramar,  contains historical sites like the Stranahan House, the Bonnet House and the Museuem of Discovery and Science, which numerous children visit on class field trips.
              Sports is a huge attraction in Miramar and there is a stadium that is the home of the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers. Sports, is one of the assests to keeping children from developing identities as trouble makers. Jay, a resident of east Miramar stated that there was an issue with children and gangs, however, sports programs that include football, soccer, baseball and basketball have been a tremendous assistance in keeping children away from crime.
           Jay has participated in various sports programs while growing up in Miaramar and as an adult, he now coaches optimist leagues in Miramar. The Miramar Police Department has done its fair share of keeping children positive through sports programs. The Department has developed a Police Athletic League in which children can participate in activities such as cheerleading and football. Jay holds a positive attitude toward Miramar's Police Department because he believes they strive hard to reach out to the youth in the city.
           After explaining that in May of 2009 there was fifty-three registered sex offenders living in Miramar, Jay was surprised at the fact. He explained that he does not believe he has come in contacrt with any sex offenders in his area. We brifely spoke about the issue with Miami and sex offenders being forced to live under bridges on the beach. Jay explained that "it is not fair for them to be forced to live out there but it is not fair for them to be in neighborhoods with children, you know, being the way they are".

          Jay enjoys Miramar because there is not such a high rate of crime compared to other cities in Miami. However, he does plan to leave Miramar and move near the Beach an area in which he loves. The only negative comment Jay held about the city was children being involved in gangs that claim to be smaller branches of the Crips and Bloods.  At the end of the interview, it all came down the the sports of Miramar. Jay was most proud that Miramar High School won their first 6A Football Championship last year which is a great accomplishment for a city who strongly identitfies with sports.