Commissioner proposes off-duty deputy program to curb car break-ins

Dozens of people living in east Orange County said they're tired of thieves breaking into their cars.

The sheriff's office said they've made close to two dozen arrests, and some of the thieves don’t even live in Central Florida

County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson wrote a letter to the Orange County sheriff asking for more patrols after a series of car burglaries in Lake Nona and Moss Park.

Deputies said in 2015 and 2016, the numbers were low, but the area has seen significant growth this year with nearly 60 car break-ins.

Thompson asked the sheriff about bringing an off-duty deputy program in Lake Nona.

It was a program approved by commissioners in 2007 to put off-duty deputies in neighborhoods seeing an increase in crime.

“Where we are able to use the fines that convicted criminals pay in order to fund off duty officers in areas that might need additional officer presence,” said Thompson.

The program has been successful elsewhere.

Last year, more than a dozen neighborhoods in areas like Conway and Holden Heights saw more patrols.

Off-duty deputies worked more than 3,000 hours which led to 212 arrests, and all but one neighborhood saw a decrease in crime.

Thompson wants the program brought to Lake Nona.

The sheriff’s office is still considering the program.

Cox Media Group