{"id":25218,"date":"2024-11-08T15:19:12","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T15:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/?p=25218&post_type=story"},"modified":"2024-11-12T16:56:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T16:56:41","slug":"a-safer-city","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/a-safer-city\/","title":{"rendered":"A Safer City"},"content":{"rendered":"

As UCF has grown immensely in recent decades, so has the city around it. In 2023, Orlando was the second-fastest-growing city<\/a> of the country\u2019s 30 most populous regions and the fastest-growing large region in Florida, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.<\/p>\n

While increasing crime is a concern for growing cities, Orlando has been vigilant. Orlando Police Department (OPD) reported 36% fewer shootings, an 8% decrease in homicides and a 6% decrease in violent crime overall in the past year. Part of the improvement is attributed to the data-driven Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), along with community outreach and increased recruitment efforts for which OPD Chief Eric Smith \u201993<\/strong> has advocated.<\/p>\n

Smith, a UCF criminal justice<\/a> alum who became chief in 2022, is using 30 years of OPD experience in various roles to guide the force to better protect and serve Orlando.<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

Engaging the Community<\/h2>\n

While at UCF, classes like Crime in America<\/em> taught Smith what police work entails and how law enforcement should support the community. An internship with Homeland Security Investigations led to a ride-along with OPD, which provided a glimpse into his future career.<\/p>\n

Smith started, and has spent most of, his career with OPD working drugs and patrol in the Parramore area of downtown Orlando. Through the department\u2019s work with local Boy Scout troops and other engagement events, Smith saw the direct impact of engaging with the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to take violent criminals off the street to have a safe community, but you also have to interact with the community so that people can see you\u2019re a normal, everyday person, and they want to be around you,\u201d Smith says.<\/p>\n

As chief, Smith keeps that foundation in mind. In 2023 he launched Community Conversations, a series of events where OPD listens to and learns from residents across the city. Feedback from the meetings led to the creation of the OPD app, which provides residents with real-time information, enhancing safety and increasing community engagement. OPD has also provided and installed hundreds of free home cameras for community members.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hear what they really want and expect the police department to do,\u201d Smith says. \u201cI think that\u2019s really what developed the kind of chief I am: \u2026 actually listening to people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Statistics-focused Safeguards<\/h2>\n

Smith and OPD officers are working on lowering crime through the RTCC, which centralizes information for strategic responses. Launched in 2019, the center is a 96,000-square-foot building featuring two video walls and nine wall-mounted monitors that use camera feeds and police records to give officers vital information immediately. It utilizes the city\u2019s public safety camera network and real-time data to assist detectives. By reviewing crime statistics throughout Orlando, OPD uses analytics to determine where to deploy specific units.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt drives where you\u2019re working weekly [and] what [we] need to be doing,\u201d Smith says.<\/p>\n

Previously, if a suspect committed a crime in a specific vehicle, police stopped any vehicles in the area that fit the description, with various degrees of success. Now, with cameras around the city and license plate readers used by the department, officers can get a live location of the vehicle, leading to an apprehension rate that has increased to 80%.<\/p>\n

When it comes down to it, we work for our community. With their buy-in, [we’re] making our community a lot safer.”<\/p>\n