Orlando Police chief to update community on crime, youth violence prevention
The Orlando Police Department will give an update Thursday on the work it is doing to help keep people in the city safe.
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Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith is set to speak around 11:15 a.m. about the police department’s latest efforts to fight violent crime.
When Smith was sworn in as new chief of police in September, he said one of his main priorities was to reduce gun and youth violence.
Smith said his vision for the Orlando Police Department is to help make the community safer.
However, tensions are high in many neighborhoods after all the shootings since the beginning of the year.
Shootings have occurred on school campuses, and most recently a 19-year-old is accused of shooting 5 people and killing 3 of them, including an innocent 9-year-old and a news reporter.
Channel 9 recently spoke with Smith who said it would take a community effort to stop this type of violence.
Watch: Man, woman arrested after shooting at police during pursuit with toddler in car, police say
And couple of weeks ago, Orlando police held its first ever “Stop the Violence Unity Walk” that brought dozens of officers walking together with the community.
It was also an opportunity for the community and police to talk about issues.
Channel 9 will be at Smith’s new conference and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.
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