Orlando’s New Crime-Fighting Initiative
I.R.I.S
The Orlando Police Department is proud to announce a new crime prevention
initiative to the community. The Innovative Response to Improve Safety (I.R.I.S.)
Camera System is a result of partnerships between the City of Orlando and
private corporations including Target Corporation, Darden Restaurants, Loews
Hotels, and other local businesses.
In a time of unprecedented growth in the Orlando area, IRIS seeks to reduce
violent crime in the community. The system was pioneered in Britain and has
become a successful crime reduction tool in over twenty major US cities. Within
three years of implementation in Minneapolis, 27 cameras netted over 750 arrests
with a 100% conviction rate. Areas of Minneapolis under video surveillance
experienced a 44% drop in robbery rates.
Within the City of Orlando, surveillance cameras will be installed as funding is
established. The first phase of IRIS will include placing cameras in Downtown
Orlando, concentrating on Lake Eola, Parramore, and Orange Avenue. Future phases
include the Kirkman/International Drive corridor and the East Colonial Shopping
district. Cameras will be operated by Orlando Police Department Personnel and
will be viewed by an officer around the clock at Police Headquarters.
The Crime Analysis Unit will provide crime updates and mapping to better utilize
the IRIS system. If, for example, analysis shows that drug activity has been
displaced, rather than simply reduced, cameras can be moved to address the new
activity.
The Orlando Police Department is excited about this new, proactive initiative
and the enormous role it can play in enhancing the safety and quality of the
Orlando community
