BROWARD INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

10/26/2025

Residents of the Palm Aire neighborhood in Pompano Beach reported two coyote sightings this week, raising safety concerns for those with children and small pets. Coyotes rarely attack humans but cats and small dogs could be at risk if not leashed and kept indoors. The uptick in encounters is likely the result of habitat disruption and suburban sprawl, wich pushes the animals into more populated areas. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold a public meeting Monday, 11/03 at 6pm to discuss the issue.

10/25/2025

Coral Springs police arrested Rebecca Sanon — former PTO treasurer for Coral Springs Charter School — on October 21 on alleged grand theft charges, serving a Capias warrant issued earlier this month. The charges stem from an investigation into the disappearance of nearly $40,000 from the organization’s business account. According to records filed with the Clerk of Court, Sanon is being held without bond at the Broward Main Jail.

Broward County Judge Mardi Levey-Cohen resigned in the wake of a reprimand from the Florida Supreme Court in June. The reprimand and subsequent suspension occurred after she “admitted to violating several judicial canons in her 2022 election campaign,” according to the Florida Bar website. In her resignation letter sent to Gov. Ron Desantis, Levey-Cohen wrote, “this decision, while bittersweet, comes with a heart full of gratitude for the opportunities and trust that have been placed in me over the years.” The resignation will go into effect on December 31.

10/22/2025

The pilot of a 1972 Cessna who abandoned her aircraft after slipping off a Naples Airport runway upon landing overnight on Tuesday is currently under investigation. Brianna Brown, 24, and her passenger, who departed from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at 12:50am, were uninjured. The two individuals returned to the scene later that day, long after Naples airport crew members managed to move the plane to a nearby hangar. Charges have yet to be filed.

A fire at the Edgewater Beach Towers in Hollywood Beach Tuesday evening prompted a quick response from firefighters, who managed to contain the flames within minutes of arriving. Only two injuries were reported at the 400 N. Surf Road location — an elderly female resident and first responder — both of whom were treated for smoke inhalation.

10/21/2025

Broward Mayor Beam Furr fired back at Sheriff Gregory Tony this morning with an op-ed in the Sun-Sentinel responding to last week’s critical missive from the county’s top law enforcement official. Furr’s even-keeled clapback defended his decision to reject a requested BSO budget increase of 50%, claiming the approved increase of just 3% in no way signals a de-prioritization of public safety. “Due to the significant measures we took to save money, Broward County was actually able to provide an increase to BSO’s budget of roughly $24 million…far above other departments within Broward County,” Furr wrote. Communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the County Commission seems to have broken down at some point during the process, with Furr claiming he mistakenly believed the two reached “consensus that the allocated increase in public safety funding was both sufficient and a positive step forward.”

The trial of Jason Banegas for the alleged 2021 murder of Hollywood police officer Yandy Chirino is set to begin tomorrow. The state is seeking the death penalty.

The Friends of the African‑American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale announced its 23rd anniversary celebration to be held this Saturday, October 25 at 4:30pm. Honorees will include Jemilah Jones, Kandyss Torrence, Darius Daughtry, Sheri Brown Grosvenor, and Karen Smith, with live music provided by the Randy Corinthian Music Group. Tickets start at $125 and are available online.

10/20/2025

Tickets for the 66th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) are available online. FLIBS will take place from October 29 to November 2 and showcase luxury yachts and marine innovations across multiple venues. Over 100,000 attendees are expected.

This Las Olas Art Fair was enjoyed by thousands of pedestrians downtown this past weekend. The strolling crowds took in a diverse array of visual displays and local vendors. Check out the Sun-Sentinel website for some photos of the event.

10/19/2025

Floridians converged across the tri-county area for a second wave of "No Kings” demonstrations yesterday, in a show of defiance against the increasingly authoritarian policies of President Donald Trump. One thousand protestors gathered near Coral Ridge Mall in Fort Lauderdale, and more than 2,000 joined a rally in Coral Springs. Organizers included a coalition of civil liberties and leftwing political organizations.

The City of Coral Springs officially recognized Hindu Heritage Month and the Diwali holiday this week in a celebration of the cultural and spiritual significance of the Festival of Lights. Broward County Public Schools will also participate in the observance by granting students a holiday on October 20, the first time in its history. Diwali is celebrated every year by around 1.5 billion people.

10/18/2025

Spirit Airlines will furlough pilots and cut non-union staff at its Dania Beach headquarters according to a statement yesterday. Company representatives have not made clear how many employees will be affected by the layoffs. Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 29.

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and County Mayor Beam Furr are butting heads over the county's public safety budget. Tony critcized the commission for underfunding the Sheriff's Office. Mayor Furr told reporters this week that law enforcement and public safety makes up over half the Broward's budget, which includes new helicopters and upgraded dispatch systems. “I assume the Department of Government Efficiency would take a look at his entire budget. And we welcome that,” Furr said, while claiming that county officials are unable to audit the Public Safety budget themselves.

Around 10:30 am Hollywood Police responded to multiple reports of a possible grenade placed in the 200 block of Northwest 21st Avenue. Officers who responded to the scene determined the object was a replica and not a threat to public safety. The area was cleared without further incident.

____________________________________

10/17/2025

The Broward Trust for Historic Preservation is hoping to officially designate a section of Fort Lauderdale Beach as “a significant archaeological and historic site,” pointing to the remains of a military structure built around 1838 during the Second Seminole War. Trust president Michaela Conca told WSVN 7, “this is an important heritage site…and should be preserved for future generations.” The area had previously been excavated by renowned archaeologist Bob Carr.

This morning the Sun-Sentinel posted an uncritical piece about the company Honeymoon Israel (HMI), which is bringing 20 Broward and Palm Beach county couples on a nine day trip to Israel in June 2026. According to their website, HMI claims such excursions offer “young couples with at least one Jewish partner bring Jewish life and understanding into their homes in a personal, meaningful way.” The Sentinel’s reporting comes two days after United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called for Israel to open more aid routes into the Gaza Strip. Multiple human rights groups continue to call Israel’s actions in the region genocide.

_____________________________________

10/16/2025

ONX Homes is laying off 137 employees at its Pompano and Homestead factories . Individuals up and down the company hierarchy will be affected. Onx communications director Melissa Pinto told the Sun-Sentinel the downsizing is “part of a broader restructuring effort in response to continued challenges in the U.S. housing and construction market.”

A gas line was struck by a backhoe on Nova Southeastern University’s Davie campus Thursday, October 16, prompting evacuations of nearby buildings and the temporary closure of a six block stretch of University Drive. No injuries were reported.

Broward County high schools are reversing a ban on student cell phone use. In a 5-4 vote on Tuesday, October 14, the County School Board signed-off on a new policy allowing phones in cafeterias at lunch hour beginning this year.

Broward County families making use of Emergency Housing Vouchers under the 2021 American Rescue Plan face the prospect of losing their homes as federal funding is set to expire this year. The County Housing Authority says “with the allocations that the Broward County Housing Authority still have, they expect to be able to extend the families until 2026.” There are 162 active vouchers in Broward.

______________________________________

10/14/2025

School Camera Coverage Gaps
The 2025-2026 School Security Risk Assessment located “blind spots” and suboptimal camera coverage at multiple Broward County schools. The School Board is devising a major upgrade by mid-2026 to “increase perimeter visibility, improve coverage of vulnerable areas, and replace outdated equipment” at 59 district schools.

Loggerhead Mooring Field Opens
A new mooring field officially opened at Loggerhead Park in Hollywood’s North Beach on October 10. Situated at 3601 N. Ocean Drive, it offers 28 slips for boats up to 40 feet in length. The project was designed and managed under the auspices of Broward Parks and Recreation with the goal of extending access along the Intracoastal Waterway and promoting marine recreation. Interested seafaring guests are encouraged to fill out a slip availability request.

Pompano Boo Bash Returns
The Pompano Beach Amphitheater will be the site of the city’s annual Boo Bash on October 25 from 4pm to 9pm. The free family event, organized by Broward County Parks & Recreation, will include “carnival rides, live stage performances, a charming pumpkin patch, and a festive harvest hayride.” Contests of the pie-eating and costume variety will also be held.

Love & Scare-iage
The Broward County Clerk of Courts announced its Halloween Day marriage ceremony will take place on October 31 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Any couples who wish to take part must obtain a valid Florida marriage license and pre-register via eventbrite.