S.A.F.E Program
Last updated on January 25, 2022
Last year, the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) implemented several initiatives to further efforts against violent crime in downtown Orlando.
Building on this continued commitment, City Council recently approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors.
Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only.
Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less.
Additionally, City Council also approved the extension of the moratorium for six months on issuing any new permits, or renewal or permits, for the continuous use of sound amplification devices in the public rights-of-way within the Downtown Entertainment Area. This will serve to minimize overcrowded public rights-of way and to make the Downtown Entertainment Area safe.
The City of Orlando and CRA are continuing to work together to advance the enhancement of visible police presence in downtown. In addition to the above items, City Council approved a series of community policing innovation initiatives include increased police officers downtown and added safety cameras to reduce crime by reducing opportunities for, and increasing the perceived risks of engaging in, criminal activity.
These actions are another step as part of our comprehensive look at safety measures within downtown and understanding what long-term impacts some of these could have at increasing safety for everyone in the area.
Together, we have grown our downtown as the economic hub and as a destination for entertainment for the entire region.