C7AH - Discuss Technology-based Policing

Resolutions - C7 AH

C7 AH A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 MEETING, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO ORGANIZE A COMMUNITY MEETING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IN ORDER TO DISCUSS AND EXPLORE LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY-BASED POLICING TOOLS, SUCH AS LICENSE PLATE READERS, IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution accepting the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) to organize a community meeting in partnership with neighborhood associations to explore leveraging technology.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the May 21, 2025 City Commission Meeting, at the request of Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, the Mayor and City Commission approved a referral (C4 L) to the PSNQLC to explore leveraging technology in neighborhoods experiencing home invasions, burglaries and auto thefts and discuss the best structure to implement technology-centered security measures in those neighborhoods.

The item was heard at the July 9, 2025 PSNQLC meeting where the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) was directed to meet with the Venetian Islands Homeowners Association and provide an update to the committee at the September 2025 PSNQLC meeting.

The item was heard at the September 10, 2025 PSNQLC meeting where the Committee unanimously moved the item to the full City Commission with a recommendation that the Police Department and Administration organize a community meeting with the purpose of inviting neighborhood associations and residents to learn about technology-based policing tools, such as License Plate Readers (LPRs), and to meet their Community Resource Officers.

ANALYSIS

The City of Miami Beach is continuously seeking innovative and collaborative approaches to enhance public safety and security throughout our diverse neighborhoods. The existing citywide Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) and License Plate Reader (LPR) network has proven effective in helping investigators solve crimes. Further, through integration into the Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC), this network has also provided officers responding to calls with direct, timely, and accurate information.

To date, the majority of the City’s CCTV and LPR network was funded, constructed, and is owned

and maintained by the City. The Department continues to expand the network throughout all parts of the city and anticipates completion of several major projects within the next few years. In addition to the City-funded network expansion, there is an on-going partnership with the Venetian Islands Neighborhood Association, who is currently in a self-funded pilot program testing a private LPR network covering their community. The data from this platform is shared with the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD), providing real time information on vehicles entering and exiting the islands, as well as providing historical information which is used by detectives to generate leads in criminal investigations.

The Department currently leverages various technology assets to address criminal activity. This includes the use of portable CCTV and LPR trailers, marked decoy vehicles, speed trailers, variable message sign (VMS) trailers, and other overt and covert systems as appropriate for the nature of the issue. These tools and devices provide awareness of police presence and activity in a particular area and can be useful in generating investigative leads upon the discovery of criminal activity. These assets, however, are limited in quantity and are often required for special events and other needs.

The Department has additionally explored the potential use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems designed to identify criminal behavior through camera networks. While this technology is advancing rapidly, current systems often rely on vague or biased indicators and are unable to reliably distinguish between legal and illegal behaviors that may appear similar. This creates a high risk of false alerts and the misidentification of individuals engaged in lawful activity, potentially leading to unnecessary police responses and civil liability concerns. The Department continues to monitor developments in this space and evaluate emerging AI technologies as they evolve. However, due to ongoing concerns regarding accuracy, bias, and the protection of civil liberties, deploying such systems in their current form is not recommended.

Community-Funded Security Models

Public funding of CCTV and LPR networks is often limited by availability of funds and prioritization of resources. The Venetian Islands neighborhood has successfully piloted a privately funded security infrastructure model, demonstrating improvements in public safety. By funding the installation and maintenance of LPRs and opting to partner with the MBPD, the neighborhood has reduced reliance on police presence while improving safety and security outcomes. This model presents a blueprint that can be used by other neighborhoods to install and maintain similar security measures where public funding is not practicable. Neighborhood associations and communities can opt to fund these technology systems themselves through various means including the creation of special taxing districts, through allocation of HOA funds, individual private funding, or other collective private or public-private partnerships. The Community-Funded model opens pathways for expanding technology-centered security measures beyond the capability of limited public funds.

The Police Technical Services Division met with the Venetian Islands HOA and discussed options for improving technology coordination for existing and future growth. The Department is developing a guide with a list of products and services compatible with existing police technology systems. This may include CCTV, LPR, and other sensors which can be used to enhance public safety. This guide will provide homeowners associations, businesses, individuals, and other groups with information on building their own systems in ways that can integrate with existing police technology platforms in use today. The goal is to provide information and tools for expanding community-funded security solutions which fit seamlessly into the police ecosystem in places where public funding is not available.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Fiscal impact will be determined based on direction from the City Commission.

CONCLUSION

The Administration supports organizing a community meeting carried out in partnership with neighborhood associations to explore leveraging technology throughout the city. By leveraging portable surveillance technology, digital evidence platforms, and community-based initiatives, the City of Miami Beach can enhance neighborhood safety while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Police

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Laura Dominguez Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Condensed Title

Organize Community Meeting to Explore Leveraging Technology-Based Policing Tools. (LD\AF- TB) PD