The Coral Gables Police Department recently welcomed Officers Nicholas Guzman and Roberto Arauz, continuing an historic period of recruitment for the department. In 2025, Coral Gables hired 37 police officers — the largest police hiring effort in the city’s history. Today, the department has just four officer vacancies, while its Communications Section is fully staffed.

The additional officers strengthen the department’s ability to serve residents, businesses and visitors and expand patrol capabilities, including in the Downtown District. The investment comes as overall crime has declined for three consecutive years — 12% in 2023, 14% in 2024 and 6.9% in 2025 — and is down an additional 2% year to date compared with the same period last year.

The city is also expanding its emergency response capabilities on the water with the christening of the Coral Gables Fire Department’s first fireboat. With 42 miles of coastline and waterways, the vessel gives firefighters an important new resource to respond to marine emergencies, conduct rescues and provide assistance when every minute counts.

The fireboat, funded in part through a State of Florida grant, builds on the city’s continuing investment in fire protection. Recent projects include the refurbishment of Fire Station 2, construction of Fire Station 1 and the Fire Department Headquarters, and the opening of Fire House 4, the city’s fourth fire station.

Together, these investments reflect a comprehensive approach to public safety, ensuring Coral Gables has the personnel, facilities and equipment necessary to respond wherever an emergency occurs and to continue providing the high level of service the community expects.