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Congratulations to Mercedes Paulino, from the Police department recipient of the "Employee of the Month " for November 2025.
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I respectfully nominate Neighborhood Safety Aide Mercedes Paulino (#11423) for the City of Coral Gables Employee of the Month, for going above and beyond her assigned duties within the Neighborhood Team Policing Unit (NTPU)- self-initiating activity, patrolling her assigned area, relocating packages and building strong relationships with fellow police officers, NSAs and the community. NSA Paulina's dedication and the exceptional services she provides to the residents, visitors and community is truly exemplary and a model of excellence.
On June 5, 2025, just before 9:00 a.m., NSA Paulino was patrolling the vacant business and parking lot at 760 Ponce de Leon Blvd, a location she regularly checks due to frequent use by nearby employees. During her patrol, she observed an unknown Hispanic male smashing a rock into a vehicle window. At that moment, CGPD was receiving a call about the incident from another witness. Upon seeing NSA Paulina's marked vehicle, the subject fled northwest toward the vacant business. While CGPD police officers were enroute to the in-progress call (emergency lights and sirens), seeing the trajectory of the subject, NSA Paulino positioned herself at a nearby intersection, assisting in establishing a perimeter. NSA Paulino' s quick actions, she never saw the subject break past the west perimeter point, was key information for officers searching the scene. After an extensive search, the subject was located inside the building (760 Ponce de Leon Blvd) and detained. NSA Paulino was immediately able to identify the male in custody as the offender, and he was arrested and issued a trespass warning (Case #25-003603). It should be noted that this incident took several hours and utilized many police resources before locating and apprehending the subject.
The following month, on July 28, 2025, just before 10:00 a.m., NSA Paulino was conducting a Foot Patrol at the same vacant business, 760 Ponce de Leon Blvd, when she heard voices coming from inside the building. She immediately notified CGPD. Officers responded and located the same subject inside. He was arrested again and charged with Trespassing an Unoccupied Structure (Case #25-004716). Following this incident, and with help from Code Enforcement, the property owner secured all entry points. There have been no further incidents at this location and the business continues to be monitored.
NSA Paulino has been with the Neighborhood Team Policing Unit for 6 years and during that time period, she has proven to be a proactive NSA with keen observation skills, who always strives to serve the community with professionalism. NSA Paulino continues to demonstrate she is an asset to the unit, and it has been a pleasure to supervise her!
NSA Paulino' s attention to detail, quick thinking, and strong sense of duty directly led to the successful apprehension of a repeat offender and the long-term securing of a dilapidated property. Her commitment to the safety and well-being of the community is clear, and she is highly deserving of this recognition.
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