Orlando police Chief Eric Smith gave an update Thursday about crime in the community involving gangs and young people.Smith says there has been some good news. He said his officers have removed nearly 500 crime-related guns off the streets in the last five months."We reorganized the department to make it where it is set up to fight crime," Smith said. Smith has been at the helm of the Orlando Police Department for about six months, and Thursday, he issued a report on crime. "To me, it's all about the officers, their drive to make the community safer," Smith said. As laid out in the news conference, the chief says many numbers are going in the right direction. Violent crime is down 8% and shootings are down 12%. The homicide clearance rate, which is the rate that murder cases are being solved, is up from 37% to 80%. When it comes to guns, recovering guns, the chief says they have recovered over 200 crime guns and the majority came from downtown Orlando. Violence downtown — debates on how to deal with it have ranged from using metal detectors to find guns to talk of having bar owners pay for their own security. Then, there's gang violence. Just before Christmas, a gang-related shooting at Jones High School left one dead and several injured. The chief says the whole city has seen an increase in gang violence. "Gang activity is on the rise. We have seen about a 22% increase in the youths (committing) crime. Although a lot of crime is going down, the number of crimes youths are committing is going up," Smith said. Why is gang violence going up? Smith says the juvenile justice system needs to be revamped. Last week, in Orange County, Keith Moses is accused of going on a shooting spree that left three people dead, including a 9-year-old and a news reporter. It's an issue that has been discussed for decades, with no answer appearing to come anytime soon. The Orlando Police Department says by reorganizing staff, they have increased the number of officers on each squad from 10 officers to 12.Watch the full news conference in the player below:Top headlines:Frightening video shows fire break out on Orlando-bound flightSheriff: Child’s call led deputies to Brevard home where dad killed daughter, 3 othersWESH 2 2023 Hurricane Season Forecast
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Orlando police Chief Eric Smith gave an update Thursday about crime in the community involving gangs and young people.
Smith says there has been some good news. He said his officers have removed nearly 500 crime-related guns off the streets in the last five months.
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"We reorganized the department to make it where it is set up to fight crime," Smith said.
Smith has been at the helm of the Orlando Police Department for about six months, and Thursday, he issued a report on crime.
"To me, it's all about the officers, their drive to make the community safer," Smith said.
As laid out in the news conference, the chief says many numbers are going in the right direction.
Violent crime is down 8% and shootings are down 12%.
The homicide clearance rate, which is the rate that murder cases are being solved, is up from 37% to 80%.
When it comes to guns, recovering guns, the chief says they have recovered over 200 crime guns and the majority came from downtown Orlando.
Violence downtown — debates on how to deal with it have ranged from using metal detectors to find guns to talk of having bar owners pay for their own security.
Then, there's gang violence. Just before Christmas, a gang-related shooting at Jones High School left one dead and several injured.
The chief says the whole city has seen an increase in gang violence.
"Gang activity is on the rise. We have seen about a 22% increase in the youths (committing) crime. Although a lot of crime is going down, the number of crimes youths are committing is going up," Smith said.
Why is gang violence going up?
Smith says the juvenile justice system needs to be revamped.
Last week, in Orange County, Keith Moses is accused of going on a shooting spree that left three people dead, including a 9-year-old and a news reporter.
It's an issue that has been discussed for decades, with no answer appearing to come anytime soon.
The Orlando Police Department says by reorganizing staff, they have increased the number of officers on each squad from 10 officers to 12.
Watch the full news conference in the player below:
Top headlines:
- Frightening video shows fire break out on Orlando-bound flight
- Sheriff: Child’s call led deputies to Brevard home where dad killed daughter, 3 others
- WESH 2 2023 Hurricane Season Forecast
