Orlando’s police chief, Eric Smith, recently met with residents in District 1 to discuss crime trends in their neighborhood. The meeting, held at the Storey Park Clubhouse, provided an opportunity for residents to learn about the current state of crime in their area.

Crime Trends in District 1

According to Chief Smith, crime is down 7% in Orlando, with shootings decreasing by 15% across the city. However, he noted that District 1 experienced a slight increase in shootings, with two incidents reported. One incident involved an employee who was fired and shot at a business, while the other involved a drive-by shooting at a Wawa convenience store.

Chief Smith also introduced residents to the officers patrolling their area, including School Resource Officer Nikia Wallace. Additionally, he discussed the department’s first drone program, which consists of 11 drones located in nine areas across the city. The drones have been used to respond to incidents, including shootings and burglaries.

Residents expressed concerns about various issues, including squatters, speeding, and stolen property. One resident, Sheri Lynch, mentioned that squatters have become increasingly bold, entering homes and stealing property. Commissioner Tom Keen also discussed the issue of e-bikes, stating that the city, county, and school board are working on language to address the issue.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.