Shooting at Orange County 'Crime-Free' apartment complex shows danger remains, resident says

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The shooting of a teenager outside an apartment complex on Pointe Vista Circle Road shook residents Tuesday who have been working with deputies to make theirs a safer place to live.

Pointe Vista Apartments in Orange County is one of 23 complexes certified as part of the Crime-Free Multi-Housing Property Program.

A teenage boy was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center just after 4 p.m. Tuesday when he was shot at the complex, Orange County Fire Rescue said.

The victim, who wsa not identified, was listed in stable condition and was not cooperating with the investigation, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

The Orange County Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program started in 2013, and sets standards for education, security crime prevention at certified apartment complexes.

While Pointe Vista Apartments is a certified complex, resident Jordan Berger said he has not seen much of a change in the amount of violent crime in the area.

"I thought this would be a safer place for my kids, and apparently it's not," he said.

Berger was there when the shooting happened and said he did what he could to help the victim.

"I told my wife to call 911 and get the kids in the house," he said. "I rand downstairs and called 911 myself and helped the boy."

The apartment complex has done things like increase the amount of lighting at the property and hire private armed security, Berger said it still wasn't enough to make him feel safe.

"(My kids) can't play outside without me worrying about them being shot," he said.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office says the Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program works to enhance rental properties, increase property values throughout the county and prevent crime.

There are currently 90 other complexes in the process of gaining certification in the program.

Cox Media Group