Local

Orlando police chief defends downtown safety efforts amid business backlash

Eric Smith Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith speaks to a crowd about public safety during a town hall meeting on Dec. 6, 2022. (Nick Papantonis)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

City officials and downtown business and property owners are at odds as the city clamps down on late-night activity in the urban core in an effort to control crowds and improve safety.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Orlando Police Chief Eric D. Smith said the “experiment” of curtailing entry to city-owned parking garages is over. “You guys … didn’t like it. So, we stopped,” he said during a July 9 meeting at City Hall between city leaders and downtown business owners such as The Vintage Group, Court Street Concepts, Thriving Hospitality, Yeaimmeloevents and more.

The city’s weekend parking garage measure started May 10, limiting access to city parking garages after 11 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. Many downtown business owners said that measure limited late-night access, which hurt the downtown club scene.

Read: ‘The Shining’ actress Shelley Duvall dies

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

0