The latest crime statistics from the Coral Gables Police Department offer welcome news: reported crime in the city dropped 14.3 percent from 2023 to 2024, capping a two-year trend marked by a cumulative 12.4 percent reduction in offenses. These aren’t just numbers. They represent safer streets, fewer victims and a signal that public safety strategies—anchored in professional, proactive policing—are working.

The decline includes sharp drops in violent crime and property crime alike. Robberies fell by more than 70 percent. Burglaries, auto thefts, and vandalism—the most frequent categories of offense in the city—each posted double-digit decreases. For a city that already ranked among the safest in Miami-Dade County, this continued improvement is an achievement.

Credit belongs where it is due. Chief Ed Hudak and his officers have earned the city’s thanks. In an era when policing nationwide is under intense scrutiny, the Coral Gables Police Department has maintained both its professionalism and its effectiveness. Hudak, in his remarks to the media, deflected personal praise, pointing instead to the work of his officers. That humility reinforces the confidence many residents already feel in their department.

But this success should not invite complacency.

Safe cities are built not only on patrols and arrests, but also on investments—in talent, in tools, in training. Police work today is more technologically demanding, legally complex, and socially sensitive than ever before. The officers who can do it well are in high demand. Cities regionwide are competing for the same shrinking pool of top-tier recruits. To remain competitive, Coral Gables must remain committed.

That means continued funding. Not as a blank check, but as a strategic priority.

Quality policing costs money, and that money must come with accountability. Fortunately, Coral Gables is in a strong position to meet this moment. Its history of stable governance, strong property values, and an affluent tax base gives the city a foundation other municipalities might envy. The key is ensuring that resources follow priorities—and that public safety remains at the top of the list.

It also means being honest about what the statistics don’t show.

While the overall picture is encouraging, a few categories saw increases. Drug-related arrests rose by more than 24 percent. Reports of extortion and blackmail went up. Purse snatching doubled, albeit from a low baseline. These numbers are not yet cause for alarm, but they remind us that crime trends can shift quickly. Prevention requires vigilance.

So does preparation. With South Florida set to host matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city is likely to experience an influx of visitors—and, potentially, criminal activity. Human trafficking and prostitution are persistent threats surrounding large international sporting events. Hudak’s acknowledgment that his department is already working with task forces to prepare is encouraging. But that coordination must be sustained and supported.

Another area that requires attention is crimes against the elderly. The police chief highlighted online fraud and scams targeting seniors as a growing issue—one that often goes underreported because victims feel shame or fear a loss of independence. Family members must play a role in prevention, but the city can help, too. Community education efforts, digital literacy workshops, and support for adult protective services can all be part of the response.

In the end, crime statistics measure something more than just incidents. They measure a city’s ability to create the conditions for safety: clear laws, responsive government, informed citizens, and professional enforcement. Coral Gables has, for now, delivered on that promise.

But keeping the city safe tomorrow will require more than celebrating yesterday’s numbers.

The City Commission should view these statistics as a validation of its past investments—and a roadmap for future ones. As budget season approaches, the temptation will be to take the good news as license to shift resources elsewhere. That would be shortsighted. Public safety is not just a department—it is a commitment. One that must be funded, staffed, and continually refined.

Let us, then, take a moment to commend the Coral Gables Police Department. Let us also recognize the larger truth their success makes plain: that excellence in law enforcement does not come cheaply or by chance. It comes from hiring the best, training them well, and giving them the tools to adapt in a world where both crime and accountability are evolving.

In a city known for its charm, beauty, and historic pride, safety must remain the bedrock. That means treating public safety not as a line item, but as a civic obligation. Coral Gables is safer today than it was two years ago. With focus, investment, and community support, it can be safer still tomorrow.