We should be smarter at reducing crime by being smarter in dealing with people
The year that just ended will be remembered for several things that have played havoc with the lives of South Floridians. COVID-19; the killing of George Floyd and ensuing racial-justice protests; the presidential election. And somewhat under the radar — but no less important — the surge in violence, especially shootings and homicides.
In late December, Miami-Dade Police released its 2020 crime report that provides 2020’s tally of violent and non-violent crimes, with comparisons to the year 2019. As is the case with any report, there is good news and not-sogood news.
The good: Non-violent crimes decreased by over 16 percent, driven largely by decreases in burglaries and larcenies. This is not surprising as businesses have been shuttered, reducing theft-related opportunities and leaving many capable guardians protecting their home.
The bad: Violent crimes increased by more than 6 percent, driven in large part by year-to-year increases in aggravated assaults (more than 20 percent) and by more than 30 percent for homicides. By Dec. 20, the MDPD reported 106 homicides compared to 81 the year before. That’s more than two dozen sons and daughters who will not wake up today. Or tomorrow.
Miami-Dade is similar to other large counties that encompass large urban cities. Nonviolent crimes have generally decreased, while at the same time, violent crime — especially shootings and homicides have increased. Other cities have also seen sizable yearto-year increases — between 30 percent and 90 percent — in killings, including Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Seattle, New Orleans and Philadelphia.
Miami-Dade continues to be safe, relatively speaking, but our increases closely mimic those found elsewhere. Why? It is not one or two things that we can point to. But instead, an array of factors all occurring at once.
Since March, we have seen the ingredients for violent crime increase: drugs, gang activity and aggravated assaults that are solved with guns rather than knives or fists. But we also witnessed lockdowns produce record unemployment and cause stress, anxiety and short tempers, an increase in gun sales and thefts, social unrest, a pullback by police officers because they were unable to engage in community policing.
It’s not time to panic.
Yet. But this is a cause for concern and a time to come together and utilize a playbook for crime prevention that will work in MiamiDade.
What does such a playbook look like?
A First, it recognizes that crime prevention is both a police and non-police issue. There is only so much that the police can do about crime, but there is much that the police can — and already — do daily to disrupt crime hot spots and forge relationships with residents.
A Second, crime prevention also employs nonpolicing strategies, including the involvement of the faith community, which has played an important role in Miami-Dade County.
A Third, continuation of “Miami-Style Smart Justice,” led by Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. The initiative has an evidencebased, humane approach to dealing with crime that has helped reduce recidivism and lower incarceration.
A Fourth, the continued collaboration among all actors in the justice system. All of these individuals want the same thing: public safety that is fair and equitable.
A Fifth, it must recognize that some of the most crime-ridden areas of Miami-Dade also suffer from other social ills, including unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, failing schools, and COVID-19related problems. Many of these areas are over-represented by communities of color.
We can be smart on crime by being smarter on people. Not every play in the playbook works out every time. And not every year-to-year comparison is sustained in the next year. But we must be patient, yet remain resilient.