BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, Fla. – The Town of Bay Harbor Islands has named its new police chief. Town manager Maria Lasday, on behalf of the town, selected Raul M. Diaz as the new Chief of Police. Diaz’s career spans more than 31 years in law enforcement, at both the local and federal level. He served as police chief in Lynchburg, Virginia and was also the Assistant Police Chief for Fort Lauderdale PD after spending over two decades with the department. Diaz beat out 55 applicants, including former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who was one of three finalists for the position.

BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, Fla. – Miami-Dade County’s Town of Bay Harbor Islands announced on Thursday night an employee who worked at the community center was diagnosed with COVID-19. The data the Florida Department of Health released a Friday morning report showing an increase in cases in Broward County. Once a case gets CDC confirmation, state officials consider it a positive case of COVID-19. Here is the town’s statement:The Florida Department of Health has confirmed the Town of Bay Harbor Islands employee who self isolated earlier this week has tested positive for coronavirus. The Town of Bay Harbor Islands has been requested by the Florida Department of Emergency Management to refer all media seeking additional information on this to call (850) 815-4940.

BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, Fla. – A state of emergency has been declared in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands regarding COVID-19. Town Manager Juan Carlos Jimenez was alerted by Mayor Stephanie Bruder in an internal memo, which can be seen below. A letter from Bay Harbor Islands Mayor Stephanie Bruder to Town Manager Juan Carlos Jimenez regarding a presumptive positive COVID-19 case. A town employee called in sick on Wednesday, complaining of symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and fearing they had contracted the virus. That employee indicated that they were a presumptive positive case, though at the time of the call, they had not been tested.