ORLANDO, Fla. – When you see shootings like the one during a 2024 Halloween celebration in Downtown Orlando that left two dead and seven others injured, many wonder if shootings are getting worse in Orlando.
The Orlando Police Department says they’ve seen a drop in shootings and homicides in the last three months.
According to Police Chief Eric Smith, “Shootings around the city are down 57%, and homicides are down 80%.”
Smith says they’re also catching suspects — like alleged Halloween shooter Jaylen Edgar—at a higher rate, well above the 40% national average. “Our homicide solve rate is solved 94% for last year.”
New statistics released by Orlando Police last month show that shots-fired calls and overall shootings fell by more than half since 2022.
The department has made several changes to achieve this goal.
“We have our TACT unit, 40-50 two-man teams fighting violent crimes doing suspicious vehicle stops and suspicious person stops,” Smith said.
Smith says they’ve also revamped their drug unit.
“Before, if you were selling a pound of cannabis, they would go out and look for you, but you weren’t a violent person. Now, if you’re selling a dime bag, one crack rock, and you’re a violent person fighting for a corner using violence, then we’ll target you,” he said.
Smith also says the neighborhood watch is a major factor.
“There can’t be a police officer on every corner. So we need the community to be our eyes and ears and call if they see something suspicious. Just let us get there and check out the situation,” Smith said.
Chief Smith says burglaries have also fallen 29%.