About Safe Place

About Safe Place

The City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Police Department are committed to the safety & welfare of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/ Questioning, Intersex, & Asexual (LGBTQIA+) residents & visitors.

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Join Initiative

Join Initiative

Fill out a form to request a decal to display. This symbol carries important responsibilities that will greatly assist in protecting LGBTQIA+ victims of crime.

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View Map

View Map

View map of all of the Safe Place participating businesses and organizations.

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Report LGBTQIA+ Crimes

Report Crimes

If you are a 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.

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About Miami Beach Safe Place

Miami Beach Safe Place

MISSION:

The City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Police Department are committed to the safety and welfare of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) residents and visitors.

WHAT IS THE SAFE PLACE INITIATIVE?

The Miami Beach Police Department recognizes that the LGBTQIA+ community is acutely vulnerable to unprovoked acts of violence. Therefore, we have launched the safe place initiative, which was established to provide victims, specifically individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community who have been subjected to a hate crime, a safe location to seek assistance.

The Safe Place initiative grants the Miami Beach Police Department the opportunity to further enhance its partnership with local business, municipal facilities, and other organizations - via collaborative efforts. Each participant will be provided with a distinguishable ‘Safe Place’ decal, which will be posted, and easily identifiable by victims of a LGBTQIA+ biased hate crime.

Anyone who seeks solace in a Safe Place location can be assured that if they are the victim of a crime, police will be promptly called.

In addition to the 911 police response to these incidents, MBPD has LGBTQIA+ liaisons, Officer Christopher Bess and Cecile Houry, who have built partnerships within the LGBTQIA+ community, and are resources for any questions or concerns our residents or visitors might have.

Quick Tips

  • Your location: 911 Operator will confirm your location.
  • Your injuries: 911 Operator will call medics while talking with you.
  • What was said: Tell the 911 operator and the responding officer if the suspect(s) used words to indicate a hate crime.

  • If you meet someone: Tell your friends where you’re going and describe the person you’re with.
  • If your date begins to stalk or harass you: Tell them clearly to stop. If they don’t, call 911.
  • Know your date: Try to find out as much about your date as possible.

  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Try and walk in well-lit areas, with other people around.
  • Walk in groups, or with others nearby.