Miami Beach vehicle burglaries plunge 56% in new MBPD data

Vehicle burglaries in Miami Beach fell 56% year over year, the Miami Beach Police Department reported Wednesday, Sept. 2.

The department's verified post on X broke down declines across seven crime categories. Robberies dropped 47%. Auto thefts fell 45%. Burglaries declined 23%.

Overall major crimes fell 16%.

Thefts dropped 15%. Aggravated batteries and assaults fell nearly 12%, and sexual batteries declined 10%.

The MBPD did not specify whether the figures compare year-to-date totals or a rolling 12-month window. The department's post included a video but no statement from Chief Wayne Jones or other named officials.

Trend builds on earlier drops

The Sept. 2 release adds category-level detail to a trend Mayor Steven Meiner has highlighted for months. In an April 29 post on X, Meiner said major crimes were down 20% at that point in the year, on top of an 18% decrease in 2025 compared with 2024. His April snapshot showed steeper drops in some categories, including a 71% decline in robberies and a 59% decline in vehicle burglaries, likely reflecting a different comparison window.

@stevenmeiner: "Major crimes in Miami Beach are down 20% this year. This is on top of an 18% decrease in 2025 vs. 2024! Our proactive policing is [working]"

Meiner has also pointed to the city's Civilian Volunteer Patrol (CVP) as part of the strategy. On Aug. 31, he said on X that the program had grown to nearly 20 volunteers who provide a visible street presence alongside officers.

Camera dispute adds uncertainty

The data arrives as Miami Beach faces a potential setback in its policing toolkit. The Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits for Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) on state roads, giving the city 30 days to remove them. Meiner called the decision "a hit to public safety" in an Aug. 31 statement reported by VIN News. As we reported Sept. 2, that stance has drawn backlash from some residents.