MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — As Election Day approaches, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner says the city is “safer, cleaner and drier” thanks to resiliency and public safety initiatives he’s helped lead during his time in office.
Meiner, an attorney-turned-public servant first elected mayor in 2023, points to a drop in major crimes as one of his key accomplishments.
“Major crimes (are) down 19% this year alone,” Meiner said. “Our homeless count is one of the lowest we’ve had on record. Our city is thriving as well — a lot of capital is coming into our city, [and we have the] highest reserve ever.”
He also highlights policies he’s backed to address homelessness, saying they’ve shown results.
“We offer services that no one else in Miami-Dade offers,” he said. “But at the same time, I was one of the sponsors of legislation that says you cannot sleep in public. If you do, we offer help — but if you refuse, you’re gonna get arrested.”
Another major change under Meiner’s leadership was what he calls the city’s “official breakup with spring break,” a period once marked by chaos and violence.
“I reached out to the governor (Ron DeSantis). I flew to Tallahassee and met with FDLE and FHP leaders, and I said we need resources — and they complied,” Meiner said. “That, along with our police, made a major statement that we will not tolerate chaos and violence on our streets.”
He said that approach has helped attract new business investments.
“Lamborghini (is) opening a shop here. A major Swiss watchmaker (is) opening up here,” Meiner said. “Because Miami Beach is the place they want to be.”
Both candidates in the mayoral race have served as city commissioners. Meiner spent four years on the dais, while his challenger, Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, is nearing the end of her second four-year term.
“Miami Beach is an iconic city, and it needs a mayor to match it,” Rosen Gonzalez said.
The college professor and lifelong Miami Beach resident says she believes she can be that leader.
“We need a leader that can focus us on our priorities — the economy, water quality, public safety, transit,” she said. “Instead, we’re attacking each other all the time. I think I can do a better job of that.”
Rosen Gonzalez points out that while overall crime is down, some violent offenses are on the rise.
“You can’t just say we’re safe now, because we’re not,” she said.
While she co-sponsored the city’s anti-camping legislation, she says the city must do more to address mental health needs among the homeless.
“We have an embedded homeless population — around 200 people — committing 50% of our crimes,” she said. “They’re literally robbing and threatening residents and tourists alike. What we need to do is go directly to the county and Stephan LeMann’s Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery and ensure that center gets open. That is a comprehensive solution.”
Rosen Gonzalez also points to empty storefronts across Miami Beach as evidence that local business isn’t as strong as it seems. She wants to modernize city systems to improve efficiency.
“Something that takes 10 days in one city should absolutely not take three months in Miami Beach,” she said. “I have an idea to use artificial intelligence technology in our building department permit system. We can upgrade those systems and make it easier.”
She also believes the city’s break from spring break may have come with unintended consequences.
“Our marketing department had that tremendously viral campaign breaking up with spring break,” she said. “But we never had a campaign explaining why people should come back to Miami Beach. That’s really what we need right now — effective marketing.”
Rosen Gonzalez said the city is down $4 million year over year in tourism tax revenue.
“It doesn’t seem like a lot,” she said, “but that represents $100 million in economic activity.”
Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 4, to decide the future of Miami Beach leadership.
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