What has buddy dyer done about public safety?

Answer 1

In 2006, Mayor Buddy Dyer launched a Public Safety Initiative in the City of Orlando. Since 2006, the Orlando Police Department has bolstered the number of officers on the streets, added new substations throughout the City and invested in tools, training and technology.

The following is from Mayor Buddy Dyer's 2012 State of the City Address Fact Sheet.

Orlando Police Department

· Domestic Violence

o Over the last three years, incidences of domestic abuse have risen dramatically in the City of Orlando - more than 26 percent since 2008 with nearly 3,700 domestic-related incidences.

o In 2011, the number of domestic murders doubled compared to 2010.

o In August 2011, the City launched the It Takes Courage,a domestic violence community education campaign aimed at dramatically reducing and even stopping domestic abuse.

o In 2011 there was a reduction of 157 domestic violence offenses when compared to 2010.

· Active citizen participation in Neighborhood Watchremains one of the most effective ways to keep crime out of the community.

o The City of Orlando currently has more than 900 Block Captains.

o In 2011, the Orlando Police Department was selected as the first place winner for the National Night Out event in the populations between 100,000 and 299,000 category.

· I.R.I.S. is a system of "smart cameras" that are monitored from a central command center 24-hours-a-day at Orlando Police Department (OPD) headquarters.

o Since November 2011, the I.R.I.S. program has allowed OPD officers to intercede in more than 310 crimes and assisted in 14 immediate arrests.

o The 35-camera system covers the Parramore community, Lake Eola, Amway Center and MetroWest allowing officers to intervene in crimes as, or even before, they are happening.

o 19 additional cameras will be installed later this year in the south of Parramore bringing the total number of cameras to 36 in the neighborhood.

o An additional 44 Homeland Security cameras located throughout the City of Orlando further support the IRIS initiative.

· Operation Positive Direction - in 2008, the Orlando Police Department established a new youth mentoring program, Operation Positive Direction.

o The program offers mentoring, tutoring, community service projects, goal setting and incentives for success to children 12-18 years old facing a variety of challenges.

o More than 75 students from four inner-city schools including Jones High School, Memorial Middle School, Carver Middle School and Lee Middle School have benefitted from the program.

o Currently, 35 Orlando Police officers serve as youth mentors through the program.

· Property Crime and Burglary Focus

o In 2011, the City saw an increase in property crimes and burglaries with an increase of 28 more robbery cases than in 2010.

o To combat property theft and crime the Orlando Police Department has dedicated three Patrol TAC units and a Motors TAC unit focused on solving property crimes and burglaries.

o 17 detectives are assigned to the Property Crimes Section with plans to add more detectives in the coming months.

· Crime Free Multi Housing Program

o A partnership with rental property owners, residents and law enforcement personnel aimed at eliminating crime in multi-housing properties.

o Program launched in the January 2010.

o 53 apartment communities are enrolled in the program. Nineteen of the 53 are officially Crime Free Multi Housing Certified.

· Orlando Fire Department

o Since 2007, the Orlando Fire Department continues to maintain an ISO 1 rating, the highest rating possible. With this rating, OFD is considered one of the top 60 fire departments in America out of 50,000 departments.

o The Orlando Fire Department began transport in February 2011, allowing the City to increase the continuity of care for victims, while using the savings to preserve 46 firefighter jobs and keep the department fully staffed.

o The Orlando Fire Department has transported 20,508 from February 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012.

o The Orlando Fire Department has launched their Smoke Alarm Blitz program throughout City of Orlando neighborhoods. As part of the program, Orlando firefighters go door-to-door to distribute and install free smoke detectors, provide free home safety inspections and CPR training in resident homes in City neighborhoods. On February 11 of this year, the firefighters visited more than 300 homes and installed smoke alarms in 44 residences in the Washington Shores neighborhood.