Orlando City Council to consider pandemic, calls for community policing in city budgeting

ORLANDO, Fla. — As the city of Orlando begins its budget hearings, the talks are being impacted by the pandemic and by concerns regarding community policing after a national call to end systemic racism.

Mayor Buddy Dyer said COVID-19 and a national call to fight racism are different issues in some ways, but in others they are connected.

READ: Orlando International Airport sees highest passenger traffic since early March over Labor Day weekend

Either way, he said, they both have to be a priority in the upcoming budget.

A major part of the puzzle is trying to find a way for police officers and the Black community to work together.

The city’s budget right now shows commissioners will likely vote to refocus $4.5 million to strengthen community policing efforts.

That includes:

• Piloting co-responder models that would engage mental health professionals on some calls.
• Dedicated teams for community orientated response to resistance reviews.
• Intercultural competence assessment evaluations and mental health services for officers.
• Creating Orlando’s first-ever equity official, a position dedicated to making change and furthering racial equity in everything our city government does.

Video: Orlando International Airport sees highest passenger traffic since early March over Labor Day weekend While the pandemic continues to hit hard, Orlando International Airport is seeing a steady improvement in passenger numbers.

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