FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Heather Allebaugh (407) 246-3423 
Sgt. Barb Jones (407) 246- 2403

Mayor Buddy Dyer

Prepared Remarks - Public Safety Update and Launch of Illegal Gun Bounty Program
January 19, 2007
See Video

Good afternoon. We’re here today to reaffirm our continued commitment to the safety of all our residents … to remind criminals that our police presence will be felt … to engage every resident to protect their neighborhood … to ensure our children are safe … to break the culture of silence in the community for criminal activity … and most importantly, to deliver the message loud and clear, that this administration, this City Council and this community will not tolerate an increase in crime.

For cities across the country, 2006 was marked with a surge in homicides and violent crimes.

We are targeting hot spots in the City with extra resources for the deployment of 3 tactical units to aggressively and effectively address street level narcotics and violent crimes.

We established the Safe Orlando Task Force led by Dr. Stanley Stone to engage business and community representatives for specific recommendations to prevent crime, use police resources more effectively and stop repeat offenders.

This City Council has dedicated the tools, training, technology and additional manpower for our police department to fight crime. But today, we bring yet another valuable tool online to empower citizens to take back their streets.

Last year, 73% of Orlando’s homicides involved a firearm, and this year alone, the first 3 homicides of the year involved a shooting. We want those illegal guns off the streets.

That’s why we’re launching an illegal gun bounty program through Central Florida Crimeline. We learned about this best practice from the Jacksonville Sheriff at the Florida Urban Partnership Safe City Summit I called late last year.

Locally, shooting incidents have occurred recently in various areas of our City – in one case, more than 60 rounds were fired and another, more than 100 rounds were fired with illegal guns. This is unacceptable.

Here’s how the illegal gun bounty program works … a one thousand dollar reward is just a phone call away. Citizens can call Crimeline anonymously at 1-800-423-TIPS. Information that leads to an arrest, a gun recovery and a weapons charge will result in a cash reward. Initial funding of the gun bounty program is made available through the law enforcement trust fund – which is forfeiture dollars and monies seized from drug dealers and those involved in criminal activities.

Last year, OPD had a more than a 70% solve rate in our homicide – compared to a 54% national average, and Chief McCoy will tell you those cases were solved and criminals locked up behind bars because witnesses provided critical information and details.

We’re dedicating every available resource to ensure the safety of our citizens, but this issue cannot solely rest on the shoulders of the fine men and women of our police department. We need citizens to get engaged, provide crime-related information and stand up for our community. By utilizing Crimeline, residents can stay anonymous and keep their neighborhoods safe.

We’re aware there isn’t a single answer to address the increased level of criminal activity, however we will take every opportunity to empower and engage our public safety personnel as well as the citizens of Orlando to reverse this troubling trend.

I encourage all of our residents to "See it. Stop it. Say it." Through Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

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