Deputies confiscate more guns in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Eyewitness News found out an uptick in crime has deputies in Orange County on track to seize twice as many guns this year as last year.

Channel 9’s Kathi Belich found out most of the calls for reports of shots fired are in the Apopka and Pine Hills areas.

Sector one that deputies cover includes the northwest side of the county, including parts of Pine Hills.

So far this year, there have been 388 reports of shots being fired in sector.

Monica Stewart has lived in Hiawassee Pointe for four years. She said lately, she hears gunfire at least once a week.

“You're not safe in your house, you're not safe nowhere. Your neighbor they'll pull a gun on you, too, if you don't (keep your) mind sharp,” Stewart said.

Last year, the sheriff’s office said it confiscated about 1,100 guns in criminal investigations. In the first four months of this year, the sheriff’s office has taken almost 600 guns.

If the pace keeps up, there will be twice as many guns involved in crimes in Orange County this year.

The sheriff’s office said it’s a big concern, and that many of the illegal guns have been stolen from homes and vehicles.

“One of the things we're seeing is a lot of auto burglaries where the cars are open, left open with a firearm in it. That is something that needs to be curtailed,” said Capt. Angelo Nieves, with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Last year, the sheriff's office responded to 3,500 reports of shots being fired, deputies said.

So far this year, there have been almost 1,400 calls for shots fired.

The sheriff's office has patrol units out, along with unmarked tactical units and deputies looking for leads to arrest the shooters. Deputies said they also need help from the community.

Contact Kathi Belich for more on this story.

Cox Media Group