Following the weekend’s shooting in downtown Orlando, where seven people were injured, changes are taking place to curb the violence.
What you need to know
- Local police are adding checkpoints in downtown area after last weekend’s shootings
- Local businesses are happy with the changes
- Leaders want people to feel safe coming downtown
Mayor Dyer announced Monday that access checkpoints will be set up this weekend for those heading to the area.
John Sanfelippo owns a number of downtown bars, restaurants and music venues including The Social, The Beachem and Aero.
“Twelve people in all in downtown Orlando,” he said. “He’s been here for 27 years and he’s not going anywhere.”
His longevity downtown is one of the reasons he was devastated to hear the news of the shooting that injured seven people just yards from his business.
“Well, that’s kind of infuriating, isn’t it?” he said.
SanFelippo said he was thrilled to hear the city and Orlando police were taking action. Current plans are for him to deploy six access checkpoints this weekend. This helps monitor people entering and leaving the downtown area.
One of them is just outside some businesses in San Felippo.
“It’s going to be an extra layer of protection for what’s already been done to keep the bad factor of people coming downtown,” he said. It’s a good time and there’s not a single he or he who gets in the way of what we’re doing here. ”
According to city officials, similar access checkpoints are already in use three times: New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo.
“They put up barricades and it’s kind of a funnel point and people go right through. They don’t even think twice about it,” Sanfelippo said. , “Hey, you just have to walk in the middle.” There are dogs out there looking for things unrelated to getting into downtown Orlando, and most people just walk past them without a second thought. increase. ”
Orlando officials say they support local businesses with a SAFE grant program that pays 50% of the cost of security upgrades to metal detectors and security cams, up to $10,000 if approved.
Sanfelippo said he has already taken his own precautions for his business, such as warning patrons and using security cameras. We hope that the city will make us feel safe.
“They have to have a comfort level and feel safe in downtown Orlando,” said SanFelippo.
Overall, he feels that downtown Orlando is still a very safe place to visit.
