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Kissimmee leaders discuss ways to make downtown safer

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Kissimmee leaders are honing in on one change to make downtown safer for patrons of bars and restaurants.

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The city held a workshop Tuesday afternoon in response to a shooting in a bar in June.

Police said they have seen five weapons-related crimes downtown this year, more than past years.

READ: Daytona Beach mayor spotlights city leaders’ efforts to improve public safety

It’s illegal to carry a gun into a bar in Florida.

The police chief said up to seven officers patrol downtown overnight, and bars have hired an off-duty officer to keep the peace.

Ideas ranged from cracking down on loud music and traffic violations to adding more signage to the buildings.

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In the end, commissioners asked staff to try scrounging up some money in the budget to hire more police officers to patrol downtown while people are out and about.

Kissimmee leaders did look at the permits Orlando implemented to make downtown safer, but determined the two cities have different sets of problems.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.

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