Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins is urging city commissioners to move forward with a proposed $450 million public safety bond referendum after the measure was delayed during a recent commission meeting.
In a statement released Thursday, Higgins expressed disappointment over what she described as a lack of urgency surrounding the city’s aging emergency response infrastructure, arguing that delayed action could impact response times and public safety.
“Response time is critical, and it saves lives,” Higgins said. “When emergencies happen, every minute matters, and our first responders need the resources and readiness to respond quickly and keep Miami residents safe.”
The proposal, dubbed “Safe & Ready,” would authorize the issuance of up to $450 million in general obligation bonds to fund major public safety infrastructure projects across the city.
Among the projects included in the plan are a modern police headquarters to replace the city’s existing 50-year-old facility, a new 911 call center, a Category 5 hurricane-ready emergency operations center, and upgrades and expansions to neighborhood fire-rescue stations.
Higgins said deteriorating facilities are affecting both working conditions for first responders and emergency response capabilities in communities across Miami.
“Miami’s police officers, 911 call takers, firefighters and paramedics should not be asked to do world-class work in facilities that are deteriorating and failing,” she said. “When public safety infrastructure fails, it puts the public at risk.”
She pointed to neighborhoods including South Coconut Grove, Allapattah and Liberty Square as areas where outdated infrastructure and the lack of new fire-rescue stations could contribute to delayed emergency response times.
“This is not a political issue,” Higgins added. “Keeping residents safe is our basic responsibility.”
The proposal was unveiled by Higgins last month and was expected to move before voters if approved by the Miami City Commission. However, commissioners on Thursday postponed action on the bond issue.
Despite the delay, Higgins expressed confidence that the commission would revisit the proposal at its May 28 meeting.
“I am sure the Commission will do the right thing at the May 28 meeting and move this forward, so Miamians can have the final say,” she said.
The mayor’s push comes as newly released polling commissioned by her political committee found that the bond proposal already has enough voter support to pass. The survey also found that support increased after residents learned more details about the plan.
Higgins said she intends to continue advocating for the initiative.
“The core issue here is response time, and response time saves lives,” she said. “I will keep working every day to make sure Miami has what it needs to improve response times and keep our residents safe.”
