ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A new community survey in Orange County released Tuesday seeks to hear from the public about ways to combat gun violence and other violent crimes.
The survey comes from the Orange County Citizens Safety Task Force, comprised of diverse community members trying to tackle longstanding problems. The task force was formed in 2020 after a string of deadly shootings in Orange County.
“If you want to ensure that your concerns are considered, fill out the survey,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.
The task force was reconstituted following a string of deadly shootings in Pine Hills that killed Nathacha Augustin, 38; T’yonna Major, 9; and Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylan Lyons, 24. The shooter also injured the girl’s mother, Brandi Major, and Spectrum News 13 photographer Jesse Walden.
The crime survey is live now and active in English, Creole and Spanish. You can fill it out on the Orange County website.
More than 2,100 residents took part in the first crime survey done in 2021. After, Demings said the county invested millions in mental health services and treatment and was also working with nonprofits, pastors, law enforcement and programs to help keep kids and everyone on track.
Orange County school board member Vicki Felder said it broke her heart when she learned that at least two of the seven people shot and killed in Orlando on Easter Sunday were OCPS students from District 5, which she covers.
“The violence has got to stop,” said Felder. “This has been, for lack of a better phrase, a serious wake-up call for law enforcement, for community, people we have to protect our children.”
She told me recent crimes across Orange County is taking a toll on teachers, principals and school leaders, too.
“I have a principal who had three deaths of children at her school in 2 months,” said Felder.
She said that includes Ty’onna Major, who was shot and killed during a string of shootings back in pine hills back in February. The suspected shooter, 19-year-old Keith Moses is charged with first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty.
Felder said she supports more school, community and law enforcement collaboration — as well as the crime survey now released by Demings’ office.
The citizens safety task force will meet again next Tuesday at Barnett Park at 10 a.m.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: