'Operation Sunshine' targeted violence, drug dealing on OBT

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orange County Sheriff's Office on Friday discussed a crime prevention operation that took two months to complete.

Dubbed "Operation Sunshine," the effort targeted the Holden Heights and Oak Ridge neighborhoods on South Orange Blossom Trail, where there had been a spike in violence and drug dealing.

Sheriff Jerry Demings said Friday that the operation decreased robberies by 37 percent and overall crime by 18 percent.

"There's been a marked increase in crime over the last 12 months. Robberies, burglaries and other violent crimes have sadly become the norm in this particular area," Demings said. "We want to uplift these communities out of their present circumstances and make them again safer for everyone."

Deputies said they arrested 572 people, 180 of whom were charged with felonies and 150 of whom face drug charges.

Thousands of dollars' worth of illegal drugs and 36 illegal guns were seized during the operation, Demings said.

"We targeted known drug dealers in the area," he said. "We did sting operations to look for individuals dealing drugs and (who are) involved in violent crime. We saturated (the) area with additional patrols."

Holden Heights resident Sherry Mitchell said an increase in patrols of the neighborhood has made her feel safer.

"People don't do what they used to do," she said.

Activist TJ Legacy-Cole said he questions the operation's motive.

"Are they increasing it to keep us safe, or are they increasing it to lock us up and continue to gentrify the community?" he said. "I think that's the concern that we have as a community."

Last year, deputies targeted the Pine Hills neighborhood and said the operation was successful.

Cox Media Group