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Updated: February 21, 2025 @ 12:46 pm
Rick Kriseman
Rick Kriseman
Public safety is the most fundamental responsibility of local government. Communities that struggle with public safety also tend to struggle growing their economy, as companies and their employees do not want to live, work and play in a place in which they do not feel safe.
Yet, too many cities hesitate to embrace new technologies designed to enhance public safety, citing concerns about cost, complexity, or fear of failure. However, during my time as mayor of St. Petersburg, I saw firsthand how investing in the right technology improves safety and offers a strong return on investment.
Additionally, in today’s political and economic environment, municipalities are constantly asked to do more with less. Recent tragedies like the California wildfires highlight this growing strain and have called into question how city leaders manage public safety resources. This issue impacts all cities across the country as they struggle to keep up with emergency preparedness among changing populations.
This is where technology can play an important role. Investing in safety technology shouldn’t be viewed as a mere expense, but rather as a long-term cost-saving strategy that mitigates risk and maximizes resources.
Cost of inaction
Local governments are not typically known to be early adopters, but cities can no longer afford a wait and see approach. Delayed adoption of proven technologies leads to preventable injuries, fatalities, equipment failures and inefficiencies. The true cost lies in not investing.
I experienced this pushback during my time on the City Council and as mayor. Simple technologies we now take for granted, such as countdown crosswalk signals and adaptive traffic lights, were once seen as unnecessary and an unbudgeted expense. Fortunately, our city was willing to make this investment, which improved pedestrian safety and decreased accidents and fatalities. By investing in available technology, we created safer streets for everyone.
More recently, we’ve seen how innovative technologies in firefighting are transforming public safety. A new fire truck acquired by Midway, a city near Tallahassee, comes equipped with a technological solution that automates communication and waterflow, two key efficiencies that are now occurring in Midway during the first five minutes of a fire call, the most critical time impacting the fire event’s outcome and loss of property and life.
Overcoming barriers
While the benefits of public safety technology are clear, cities often face barriers to implementation. Cities need to move beyond short-term budget considerations and embrace a long-term perspective.
A clear understanding of the return on investment and the expected lifespan of new technologies is crucial for justifying the investment in that technology. In the example of fire trucks, the investment in waterflow automation has not only enhanced efficiency and the safety of calls but also reduced equipment failures.
Fire trucks are expensive, and extending their life by three to five years is a very good use of taxpayer dollars. I wish this type of technology had been available during my time as mayor, a solution that would have allowed my fire department to work safer and more efficiently and given my constituents a return on their tax dollars.
Instead of waiting for universal adoption, cities should actively learn from their peers’ experiences. Sharing best practices and lessons learned can accelerate the adoption of effective technologies and avoid costly mistakes.
A mayor’s primary duty is to protect the residents they serve. In the 21st century, technology is an indispensable tool for fulfilling that fundamental responsibility, especially in the public safety space. Local governments must shift from reactive to proactive approaches in public safety technology adoption. We can no longer afford to wait. The lives and well-being of our communities depend on it. I urge city leaders to explore and implement high-impact safety technologies today. The time to act is now.
Rick Kriseman served as the 53rd mayor of St. Petersburg, serving from 2014 to 2022. He is now a member of Shumaker Advisors, where he is executive vice president and principal of their U.S. cities practice.
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