South Florida leaders advance public safety initiatives

Key points:

• • Cities are deploying drones alongside license plate readers and cameras, feeding a real-time crime center run with Miami PD to speed response times.
• • Doral’s aggressive-driving unit and the DDA’s orange-shirt ambassadors show how targeting risky behavior and vulnerability early reduces property and vehicle-related crime.
• • All four leaders treat public safety as the foundation for growth, with Doral calling it the city’s “No. 1 priority.”

June 2026 — Public safety is evolving across South Florida as communities face a growing range of challenges, from crime prevention and emergency response to disaster preparedness and infrastructure security. In Miami, public agencies are increasingly adopting new technologies, strengthening interagency partnerships, and expanding community-focused initiatives to improve safety and resilience.

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Leaders throughout the region say public safety efforts are not simply about responding to emergencies, but preventing them. Whether it is using data-driven policing strategies to reduce crime, enhancing hurricane preparedness and recovery capabilities, improving traffic and transit safety, or deploying new tools that help first responders react more quickly and effectively, innovation is creating new opportunities to protect residents and strengthen quality of life. As South Florida continues to grow, cities and agencies are working to ensure that public safety systems remain adaptable, connected, and prepared for the challenges of the future.

Elected officials and government leaders from across Miami, including Christina Crespi, executive director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA); Christi Fraga, mayor of City of Doral; Larisa Svechin, mayor of the City of Sunny Isles Beach; and Vince Lago, mayor City of Coral Gables, shared their perspectives on the vital role public safety plays in supporting economic development and enhancing quality of life within their respective communities.

Christina Crespi, Executive Director, Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

On public safety, we have strengthened partnerships with the Miami Police Department and invested in both technology and coverage. We launched a drone policing pilot program that improves response time and situational awareness. The drone can reach a scene quickly, providing eyes and ears before police arrive. The program is showing results, and we expect expansion.

We have also added security cameras and license plate readers across the Central Business District and into Brickell and Edgewater so we can monitor what is happening in real time at the crime center, in partnership with Miami PD. We are also funding additional police hours so coverage can be directed to areas where residents and businesses have raised concerns, including areas along the river and other key corridors.

In addition, we have our downtown ambassadors in orange shirts. They support safety without functioning as law enforcement. They provide directions, assist with homeless outreach, and can escort someone to their car if they do not want to walk alone at night. That combination of cleanliness, outreach, and safety is how we build a downtown that feels welcoming and functional.

Christi Fraga, Mayor, City of Doral

Public safety is our No. 1 priority. Residents should feel secure in their daily lives, and businesses should feel confident that their investment is protected, especially in high-traffic commercial areas.

A big part of our success comes down to proactive leadership in the police department. Our chief is visible and hands-on. He is out in the community and sees concerns firsthand, which makes it easier to respond quickly and effectively.

We have built targeted initiatives around the issues residents consistently raise. One example is traffic enforcement. We created an aggressive driving unit focused on reducing dangerous behavior and preventable accidents, including distracted driving. We have also enforced quality-of-life issues that affect how people experience the city, such as illegal parking in handicapped spaces and fire lanes.

We also emphasize community policing and communication. Officers engage with residents and businesses, and the department puts out information consistently so people understand expectations and safety priorities. That communication matters because education and enforcement work best together.

Visible presence is another component. We maintain police coverage in parks and commercial corridors, and during peak hours, we station officers at major entrances and exits of the city, including key highways and corridors. We also keep officers in parks not only for enforcement, but to connect people to resources when they are vulnerable or in need of support, so issues are addressed early and responsibly. The message is simple: Doral takes safety seriously, and people can expect consistent enforcement.

The outcome has been lower levels of property crimes that concern residents, including vehicle-related theft trends that have affected South Florida more broadly. Our approach is that if someone comes to Doral to commit a crime, they should expect to be caught.

Larisa Svechin, Mayor, City of Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isles Beach is a family-friendly city with clearly defined values. We are not a nightlife destination, but we offer Michelin-starred dining and sophisticated experiences. The goal is to be welcoming to diverse cultures without trying to appeal to everyone.

Safety is central to that vision. We want residents, visitors, and professionals to feel comfortable walking at night, enjoying public spaces, and raising families here. To support that, we implemented autonomous drone technology for law enforcement. These tools allow us to monitor restricted areas and respond quickly when necessary.

I feel like the city needs to feel like everyone’s house. When people treat the city with respect, it becomes safer and more welcoming for everyone.

Vince Lago, Mayor, City of Coral Gables

There are practical services that directly improve the experience for merchants, residents, and visitors: coordinated cleaning and beautification, public safety, transportation, and a higher standard for the public realm. For example, we require regular pressure cleaning of sidewalks and facades. A district could centralize that work, saving time and money while improving consistency.

We have also strengthened downtown operations with dedicated police coverage, expanded trolley service to Saturdays, added Wi-Fi, improved transit amenities, and continued streetscape upgrades. The business community represents a significant portion of our tax base, and keeping downtown safe, clean, and welcoming is essential.

I treat this role like a CEO position — a person who is accountable. Government should invest in infrastructure, in public safety, in cleanliness, and in transparency, and then get out of the way and let the private sector lead the way.

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