FILMIAMI'S SHINING STAR

Miami-Dade’s Office of Film & Entertainment is highlighting each month a County employee who has delivered excellence to the Film & Entertainment Industry as our Shining Star.
 
Our first Shining Star is Sammy Israel, Special Events Coordinator for the Miami Dade Police Department, a veteran Police Officer who is responsible for coordinating off-duty Officers for productions.  Sammy Israel has been in the Miami-Dade County Police Department for 30 years and has served the film and entertainment industry in his current capacity for 6 years.
 
When it comes to assisting productions he has an elite group of seasoned officers who are his “go to guys.”   According to Officer Israel, “productions in Miami-Dade County are very seasonal. Either we have a lot of requests for officers, or none.”  Officer Israel’s attitude towards the job is that you can’t say no, you have to figure a way to make things happen while balancing the job to protect and serve the citizens of Miami-Dade County.  “Music videos and fast moving TV series are always very challenging because often times what is stated on the permit as to number of people or the action in the scene is not what is actually happening. Keeping everyone happy can be a challenge.”  Often times he finds himself acting as a mediator between the productions and his officers - which involves flexibility on both sides. “Working with the Office of Film & Entertainment helps create the flexibility we need because we have excellent lines of communication set up which make the whole process easier.”   With his get it done, film friendly attitude, it is no wonder that Officer Israel’s favorite part of the job is dealing with people. 
 
Officer Israel’s most memorable productions include the movie Miami Vice, due to it’s challenging last minute changes, especially between two locations that were being filmed simultaneously.  He also enjoys working with the current hit series Burn Notice because “they are great and easy to work with.  His mantra “you are only as good as your last job” has worked in building his reputation as reliable, knowledgeable and film friendly.
 
A former U.S. Marine Corps decorated Vietnam Veteran, Officer Israel is passionate about motorcycles and NASCAR.  His biggest pleasure in life though, is spending time with his three grandchildren. He will be retiring in the Fall this year and he will be missed by both The Office of Film & Entertainment and the local production industry.  He looks forward to retirement so that he can continue fabricating and refurbishing motorcycles and spending more quality time with his family.