Trend in Miami’s murder count might surprise some
In the first two months of this year there were four homicides in the city of Miami — a historically low and probably unsustainable pace but also part of a long and often overlooked trend.
Miami might never shake its deadly Cocaine Cowboys reputation in some quarters but — at least judging by the murder count — the city is far less dangerous than it was decades ago. The last two years combined recorded just 97 homicides — the lowest tolls since 1964 when the city had about 100,000 fewer people. If this year’s pace continues, which police and crime analysts suspect is a long shot, it would cut even those low annual numbers in half.
What’s going on? Hard to credit one big reason but police, other experts and community members point to a lot of small ones combined: Better communication between residents and cops. More officers on the streets. The department’s hightech crime-fighting unit responding more rapidly to major crimes. Families, tired of losing loved ones, stepping up. And some people with gang affiliations moving out.
Can the peace and quiet hold? Even Miami Mayor Francis Suarez — who has touted the city’s drop in violent crime as part of the “Miami miracle” during TV appearances as he flirts with a potential run for president — admits that’s unlikely.
“It’s a considerably small sample size, but we’ve started the year off well,” he said.
Miami isn’t alone in seeing a steady decline in murders — but the city also stands out by avoiding the bloody spike that hit many major cities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
hospital system Jackson Health, will help the department “work toward identifying early signs of cancer, heart disease, stroke and even emotional illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder.”
“We know that early recognition is the key to helping them to live a long and healthy life,” he said of firefighters.
Firefighters are often exposed to known and suspected cancer-causing substances. Many materials often release cancer-causing agents when they burn.
And the foam that firefighters use to extinguish fires emits chemical compounds known as PFAS. Studies have shown that high levels of exposure to certain PFAS can lead to increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer, changes in liver enzymes and increased cholesterol levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fire crews are also at risk for other health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease and stroke. And like other first responders, firefighters can experience trauma from the tragedies that they respond to, such as 9/11, the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and the Surfside condo collapse in 2021.
Most recently, crews responded this week to a murder-suicide involving a 3-year-old boy and his father in Coconut Grove.
“Despite all of their training and all of their education, our firefighters could do nothing to save this child. These emergency calls have life-lasting effects on our firefighters,” said Zahralban. “They become memories — nightmares. They haunt you forever.”
At the center, firefighters will have access to peer counselors and clinicians. Staff will provide physicals and services, including X-rays, ultrasounds, blood work, stress tests and cardiac
exams to the more than 800 firefighters of Miami Fire Rescue. Eventually, the center will expand its services to retired firefighters and the families of fire-service members, said Dr. Paul Adams, the medical director for Miami Fire Rescue and the new health and wellness center.
The center is the latest
initiative stemming from Miami Fire Rescue’s cancer-prevention program, an effort that the department created several years ago to identify and eliminate risk factors and hazards that can affect fire crews.
Zahralban said the program has led to changes, including better ventilation at fire stations, a comprehensive
decontamination process for firefighting gear and improved medical exams. The department is also no longer training with foam, though crews still use it in certain situations, such as boat fires.
“We know the job you do is incredibly challenging and every day you go into work you risk your lives to
protect the people in our community ... Jackson stands ready 24/7 to protect you,” said Jackson Health CEO Carlos Migoya.
“Only the best for the best,” he added.