ORLANDO, Fla. – In response to a Halloween shooting that left two people dead and eight others injured, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has declared a state of emergency, implementing a temporary curfew and restrictions on alcohol sales in downtown Orlando.
The order, which took effect over the weekend, restricts alcohol sales after midnight and prohibits anyone from being on the sidewalks between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for the next seven days.
Locals and visitors have expressed mixed reactions to the new restrictions.
“I think that can be beneficial,” said one passerby. “Getting everyone off the streets and keeping everyone inside can definitely be a safe choice. Will it prevent anything? I’m not sure, but I think it’s a great thing to have in place.”
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“I think it’s kind of sad we have to be put in a position where now we need a curfew to go home safe or consume alcohol after midnight,” another downtown visitor commented.
Longtime patron Leon Jones, who has frequented the downtown area for two decades, voiced frustration.
“One bad apple just messed it up for everyone,” Jones said, adding that he noticed bars had increased their prices to cover the cost of additional security mandated by the city.
“The businesses were already paying for extra police officers, extra security to keep us safe. It hurts the businesses, it hurts the city of Orlando, because unfortunately, the consumer is going to have to pay for that.”
Some Orlando residents, like Sharia Clinkscales, said they rarely visit downtown. “I thought it was kind of ironic because I don’t come down much, but I feel safe,” Clinkscales said. “I went to Lake Eola for a festival, then got some food, and now I’m just getting some cookies before heading home.”
In addition to the curfew, city officials are reportedly considering security checkpoints downtown to enhance public safety. Alex Garcia and Julian Gonzales, who were in the area on Saturday, said they support increased security but are concerned about how long these measures will last.
“We understand checkpoints may be necessary after what just happened, but how long will they be in place?” Garcia asked. “If it’s just a week, it might not be enough.”
On Saturday, Orlando police confirmed the identities of the two people killed in the mass shooting. Those victims were identified as 25-year-old Tyrek Hill and 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr.
Hill and Schmidt were among the nine people shot early Friday when police say 17-year-old Jaylen Edgar opened fire near two different intersections among a crowd of thousands that had gathered to celebrate Halloween. A tenth person injured in the aftermath was described by police as a woman who was trampled.
City officials are expected to provide more information on possible long-term security measures in the coming days. For now, the state of emergency is scheduled to remain in effect for one week.
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