Crime in South Florida – Part 1 of 3

Civil War DesertersCivil War Deserters

Despite having a full-time law man, Miami was still largely a frontier city after incorporation. The murder of game warden Guy Bradley and the pursuit of the Ashley Gang were two prime examples of the immaturity of law enforcement in South Florida in the early 1900s.

What was referred to as “North Miami” demonstrated the wild-west nature of early Miami. After the antics in North Miami became unacceptable to land owners in the area, the unlawful element was moved into today’s Overtown. The area was labeled “Hardieville” for the Sheriff that facilitated the change in location.

Length of Video:  18 minutes and 57 seconds

Finally, the first part of the Crime in South Florida series ends with crime associated with Miami’s building boom of the 1920s. The Binder Boys took advantage of anyone willing to buy land site unseen. Part One ends with Al Capone moving to Miami in 1927. His home on Palm Island was the center of attention for law enforcement in the late 1920s and early 1930s.