ORLANDO, Fla. — Scores of people descended on downtown Orlando Saturday night to take part in Halloween festivities.
Several revelers told Eyewitness News they were keeping on high alert amid concerns of violence that has plagued the area in recent years.
“I’m just kind of, you know, always minding my P’s and Q’s,” said Tim Dolan, a downtown patron. “I would say that I’m a lot more hyper aware as I get older.”
This was the first Halloween since a judge sentenced Jaylen Edgar to life in prison on a first-degree murder conviction. Edgar fired shots into a crowd in downtown Orlando in 2024, killing two men and wounding seven others.
Since then, the city of Orlando has put several safety measures in place and also requires some bars to get a permit to serve alcohol after midnight.
“It’s about safety, but it’s pretty much similar anywhere,” said David Adams, a downtown patron. “I would say after 11 pm, nothing good happens. We love downtown, we like to enjoy it, but unfortunately, we do choose to get back at a safe time because of recent events.”
Orlando Police said crime in the downtown area fell by 20% compared to this time last year.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.