The Orlando Police Department’s 2015 Year in Review provided some troubling statistics related to public safety in the City Beautiful. While there were minor gains being made in some categories of crime statistics, violent crimes increased, with murders doubling across the city from 2014 to 2015. Sex offenses and aggravated assaults… [read more]
As public scrutiny focuses on police practices and use of excessive force, interest in body cameras has skyrocketed, including here in Orlando. While not a solution, body-worn cameras could definitely help but only if there is an open public discussion on how to improve the process as implementation continues. There are… [read more]
When a police report was filed by City of Orlando employee Paul Wenzel alleging “criminal mischief” and “vandalism” of a $175,000 city asset in November 2012, the Orlando Police Department did nothing. No investigation was ordered. No questions were asked. In fact, no officer or detective ever reviewed the police… [read more]
The Orlando Sentinel has published a major report, Focus on Force, revealing 3,100 people were “hit, kicked, pepper-sprayed, shocked or had some other force used on them by Orlando Police Department officers from 2010 through the end of 2014.” OPD officers injured 1,900 people during that time, and 1,200 required medical… [read more]
A Dyer administration cover-up related to a $175,000 city asset continues to deepen as the story coming from Orlando City Hall becomes more convoluted. According to newly obtained records, city officials violated policies and procedures defined by its own Risk Management department in the aftermath of the destruction of the… [read more]
Over the last year, Orlando residents have faced a massive 17.7% property tax increase, substantial cuts to public services and an across-the-board 4.5% cut for every city department to close the city’s ongoing budget crisis. After years of mismanagement and out of control spending from Mayor Buddy Dyer and the rubber stamp City… [read more]
The pressure is building on Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioners to comment and respond to the latest excessive force allegations against the Orlando Police Department. Noel Carter joined his attorney Natalie Jackson as well as several community organizations and concerned citizens at City Hall this week to respond to… [read more]
UPDATE: Tanjila Lippett, mother of Karvas Gamble, Details Orlando Police Shooting That Killed Her Son (VIDEO) It’s happening again. The Orlando Police Department is facing a new lawsuit as the Florida Civil Rights Association announced the Notice to Sue over the shooting death of Karvas Gamble, Jr. The police-involved shooting was a… [read more]
Update (3/25/14): Orlando Police announced they have fired Officer Janir Sims, who filed the racial profiling complaint against OPD. The firing is “retaliatory in nature,” Sims said. “I’m confident OPD will be exposed.” It looks like the practice of racial profiling is still very real in Orlando. Allegations of racial… [read more]
In Orlando, many people wonder why the community does not have a strong and positive relationship with the police force locally. First of all, Orlando PD is often used by Mayor Dyer and the local establishment in absurd ways (think arresting people feeding the homeless and needy at Lake Eola,… [read more]