March 28, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

On Monday, March 24, Orlando Police Chief Val Demings and I announced the newest member of Orlando’s crime-fighting team. This new partner doesn’t sleep, doesn’t eat, doesn’t even take a break, and her name is I.R.I.S. Abbreviated for Innovative Response to Improve Safety, I.R.I.S. is a network of intelligent cameras monitored from Police headquarters. Unlike traditional video surveillance that needs to be monitored continuously, these cameras detect unusual behavior and bring it to the attention of an OPD officer. This allows one person to monitor multiple cameras and survey a larger area.

The introduction of I.R.I.S is an important step in making Orlando a safer City. It represents a major technological leap forward in our City’s ability to prevent crime -- and in many cases stop crime as it is occurring.

I want to thank the members of the business and civic community that are financially supporting I.R.I.S. Target and Darden Restaurants both have supported this public-private partnership that has allowed us to implement this unique crime fighting tool in our community. If your company or organization is interested in supporting I.R.I.S., please contact OPD Captain Jeff Goltz at 407-246-3855.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor
 

This section of City News provides public safety updates on new and ongoing City initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged in their neighborhoods.

I.R.I.S. Provides New Tool for Law Enforcement

I.R.I.S. (Innovative Response to Improve Safety) is the Orlando Police Department’s safety camera program. Using Downtown Orlando’s federally-funded homeland security network as a foundation, the department will deploy additional cameras around the City. OPD personnel will be able to monitor those cameras 24-hours a day from a central command center. These cameras will allow officers to intervene in crime as, or even before, it happens.

I.R.I.S utilizes “smart cameras” as part of an intuitive network that can be programmed to look for a certain behavior or detect certain types of objects. Through the use of technology known as video analytics, cameras can be programmed to sound alarms when they detect certain events such as:

• More than one person at an ATM machine
• A car going down the wrong side of the street
• Suspicious movement
• The use of weapons

I.R.I.S. cameras will start operating in July. The initial phase of the project will place cameras in the Downtown corridor, Parramore and around the Lake Eola area. While this is the first system of its kind in Central Florida, other cities, including Minneapolis, Houston, Boston and Dallas, have experienced tremendous decreases in crime in the areas where similar cameras have been deployed.

Read more about I.R.I.S. and see video demonstrations online at CityofOrlando.net.

Orlando Prepares! On May 3

Get prepared for hurricanes and other emergencies on May 3 at Orlando Prepares! This annual event hosted by the City’s HOLA Office, the Orlando Fire Department, the Office of Emergency Management, American Red Cross and the Hispanic Advisory Network, features three different informative programs for residents. From 10 a.m. to
2 p.m., visit a health fair featuring screenings, blood pressure tests, nutrition information, HIV testing, and Hispanic Aids awareness. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., participate in Mission Possible, featuring five hands-on demonstrations, including creating a plan and preparing an emergency kit. And from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Orlando Fire Department and its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program will hold a mock disaster drill to train CERT members from Orlando neighborhoods in how to respond to a tornado incident.

The free event takes place Saturday, May 3 at Primrose Plaza, 595 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando, and will include entertainment, a kids zone, drawings and refreshments.
 

Colonialtown Square Park All Spruced Up!

This past weekend, over 50 volunteers dug, planted, trimmed, mulched and spruced up beautiful Colonialtown Square Park thanks to a grant from Scott’s Miracle Gro Company and Keep America Beautiful (KAB).

Local KAB affiliate Keep Orlando Beautiful (KOB), Green Up Orlando, the City of Orlando’s Streets and Stormwater Division and Parks Division worked together with Scott’s and KAB to make this event a wonderful success. Patty Sheehan, City Commissioner and Colonialtown North neighbor, was also on site to help plant and recognize all those involved.

Jan Rahill with Green Up Orlando and Master Gardener and TV Gardening show host Rebecca Kolls shared tips and techniques on how to properly plant and care for gardens and green spaces. In addition, Scott’s and KOB handed out information to educate volunteers and neighbors on proper watering techniques to help conserve our precious water resources.
 

Mayor in the Community

Did You Know?

Date Night at Leu Gardens

Have a romantic evening in a garden setting at Date Night at Leu Gardens on Friday, April 4. Bring a blanket or chairs and a dinner picnic basket and enjoy the featured movie, All the Pretty Horses. Gardens open at 6 p.m., and movie time begins at 8:30 p.m. Garden Admission is $7 plus tax per adult and $2 plus tax per child. Garden Members receive free admission on all movie nights. For more information, call 407-246-2620 or visit LeuGardens.org.

The City of Orlando will host a series of seminars designed to educate residents on the resources available to mitigate the impacts of foreclosures and predatory lending practices. A team of experts will speak on the issues of foreclosure proceedings, tax implications, predatory lending tactics and more.

Each household that attends one of the seminars will receive a one-on-one counseling session, at a later date, to discuss issues pertinent to that household, with Mrs. Cora Fulmore, a nationally-renowned expert on housing counseling.

The four-hour sessions will be held on Saturdays throughout the City.

Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Beardall Senior Center
800 S. Delaney Ave.

Saturday, April 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Odyssey Middle School
9290 Lee Vista Blvd.

Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Northwest Community Center
3955 W.D. Judge Dr.

Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Rosemont Community Center
4872 Rose Bay Dr.

Saturday, May 31, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
J.R. Smith Neighborhood Center
1723 Bruton Blvd.

Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Engelwood Neighborhood Center
6123 La Costa Dr.

For additional information,call 407-246-2708 or visit cityoforlando.net.

Register Now For the Neighborhood and Community Summit

Register now for the Third Annual Neighborhood and Community Summit on Saturday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orlando Marriott Downtown, 400 W. Livingston Street. This annual summit will offer a variety of community engagement workshops, best practices and networking opportunities for neighborhood and community leaders and citizen volunteers. For more information, call 407-246-2169 or visit our web site at cityoforlando.net/summit to register.
 

Upcoming Events

Road Closure

City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email:
buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net