Miami-Dade County Commission chair Anthony Rodriguez has introduced two public safety initiatives that have received committee approval and are designed to strengthen the criminal justice system by expanding mental health treatment options and using advanced DNA technology.
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The first measure addresses the growing number of individuals in county custody who suffer from serious mental illness and have been deemed incompetent to proceed in their criminal cases. Due to limited capacity at state treatment facilities, many of these individuals remain in jail for extended periods while awaiting the care necessary to restore competency.
Rodriguez’s legislation directs the Miami-Dade County mayor to evaluate the feasibility of providing competency restoration treatment within county facilities. The initiative aims to reduce treatment delays, improve outcomes for individuals in custody, and expedite the movement of cases through the court system.
“Mental health challenges should be addressed with timely treatment, not prolonged delays,” Rodriguez said. “By exploring competency restoration services within our own facilities, we can better serve vulnerable individuals while improving the effectiveness of our justice system.”
The second initiative focuses on enhancing public safety by implementing Rapid DNA technology. Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation processes nearly 50,000 bookings each year, making accurate and timely identification of individuals in custody critical to both public safety and criminal investigations.
The legislation authorizes Miami-Dade County to pursue approximately $7.9 million in state grant funding to acquire three ANDE Rapid DNA Systems. These systems can generate DNA profiles in less than two hours and compare them against national databases, providing investigators with valuable information during the booking process.
“This technology has the potential to identify violent offenders, connect suspects to unsolved crimes, and provide law enforcement with critical investigative leads before individuals are released from custody,” Rodriguez said.
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While addressing different challenges within the criminal justice system, both initiatives share a common goal: improving public safety through innovative, effective and accountable solutions.
The measures will now advance to the full county commission for final consideration.
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