Safe Place Initiative
If you are a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) victim of, or witness to a crime, please report the incident to the police, either during, or immediately after it occurs by calling 911. The 911 operator needs quick and concise information, such as:
911 Operator will confirm your location.
911 Operator will call medics while talking with you.
What happened?
Tell the 911 operator and the responding officer if the suspect(s) used words to indicate a hate crime.
Describe it as a gun, knife, etc.
Age, race, height, weight and clothing description of the suspect(s).
Scars, marks, tattoos, piercings, speech, etc.
Color, make, model, vehicle license.
Which way did they flee?
While these questions are being asked, please remember an officer and/or medical support is already on the way. Even if you think the crime is insignificant, or that you don’t want to bother the police over small issues, reporting crimes quickly allows the Miami Beach Police Department to:
Respond immediately to the scene to prevent further harm to you or others.
Collect evidence that could be destroyed if not discovered and collected quickly.
Interview witnesses who may otherwise be gone if you delay your call to 911.
Apprehend the suspect(s) quickly so they do not continue to victimize others.
Determine if the suspect(s) are engaged in a pattern of previous and/or ongoing behavior that threatens the community.
Increase community awareness of criminal activity in the area through media notification & alerts.
Develop solutions and/or deterrents to reduce the crime by adding patrols to the area.
PLEASE NOTE: Someone calling you a derogatory name is not a crime. It is constitutionally protected free speech. If the comments are accompanied by threats, threatening behavior, or physical harm, it then becomes a crime.
