Dear Supporters,
Thank you for signing the petition and making your voice heard! Your support has been incredible and shows a shared commitment to a safe, vibrant, and prosperous Downtown Orlando for everyone.
We are excited to announce that we have officially submitted a comprehensive safety plan to the Orlando Mayor and City Council titled, "Keeping Downtown Orlando Open & Safe: A Pro-Growth Safety Blueprint and Alternatives to a Curfew."
This isn't just a simple request; it's a detailed, data-driven blueprint for a real solution.
Our Plan vs. The Curfew
The report makes it clear that a blanket 12 a.m. curfew is a blunt instrument that would inflict severe economic harm on our city, costing an estimated 25-30% of food and beverage revenue and thousands of jobs, while failing to solve the root causes of violence. Evidence shows that violence is driven by a small number of high-risk individuals, not the thousands of patrons who responsibly enjoy our downtown establishments each week.
Instead of a punishing curfew that hurts local businesses and displaces crime into other areas, our plan proposes a sophisticated, multi-layered strategy built on three pillars:
Pillar 1: Targeted Enforcement & Deterrence (Addressing the "Who"): This pillar focuses resources on the small number of individuals most likely to commit violence. It includes proven strategies like a "Focused Deterrence Initiative" modeled after successful programs in other cities and establishing a hospital-based violence intervention program.
Pillar 2: Engineering a Safer Environment (Addressing the "Where" and "When"): We can proactively design a safer downtown. This includes creating a night-time mobility program to eliminate the 2 a.m. transportation bottleneck, investing in better lighting, and piloting staggered closing times for venues that meet enhanced security standards.
Pillar 3: Industry Partnership & Accountability: The nightlife industry is ready to be a formal, proactive partner in public safety. We are proposing a "Downtown SAFE Seal" accreditation for venues that meet "Gold Standard" safety practices and championing professional, advanced training for all security guards.
We have asked the City Council to partner with us, not punish us. We've asked for 12 months to help implement this plan and prove it can work.
Your Voice is Crucial NOW! Contact the Mayor & Your Commissioner
The City Council needs to hear directly from you - the residents, workers, and visitors who care about Downtown.
Please take 5 minutes to call or email the Mayor and all City Commissioners. Tell them you support the "Pro-Growth Safety Blueprint" and oppose the economically damaging curfew.
Contact Information:
Mayor Buddy Dyer
Email: buddy.dyer@orlando.gov
Phone: 407-246-2221
Find Your City Commissioner:
You can find your specific commissioner by entering your address on this webpage: City of Orlando Commissioner Map
City Commissioner Offices:
District 1 - Commissioner Jim Gray: jim.gray@orlando.gov | 407-246-2001
District 2 - Commissioner Tony Ortiz: tony.ortiz@orlando.gov | 407-246-2002
District 3 - Commissioner Robert F. Stuart: robert.stuart@orlando.gov | 407-246-2003
District 4 - Commissioner Patty Sheehan: patty.sheehan@orlando.gov | 407-246-2004
District 5 - Commissioner Shan Rose: district5@orlando.gov | 407-246-2005
District 6 - Commissioner Bakari F. Burns: bakari.burns@orlando.gov | 407-246-2006
What to Say (Sample Script):
- "Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I live at [Your Address, if you are a resident]. I am calling/writing to urge Mayor/Commissioner [Name] to support the 'Pro-Growth Safety Blueprint' submitted by downtown stakeholders and to vote NO on the proposed 12 a.m. curfew.
This detailed plan offers real, targeted solutions to improve safety without destroying the nighttime economy and the thousands of jobs it supports. It is a proactive partnership that can make downtown safer and stronger. A curfew is not the answer. Please vote for partnership, not prohibition. Thank you."
Let's keep the momentum going. By working together, we can convince the City Council to embrace a proven strategy that ensures Downtown Orlando is both safe and open.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Your Change.org Petition Team for Downtown Orlando