News 6 gets results on IRIS cameras in downtown Orlando

Mayor uses IRIS cams in campaign ad

ORLANDO, Fla. – After more than one year of troubles plaguing the city of Orlando's security camera system, Mayor Buddy Dyer is touting the program as a success in his latest round of campaign commercials.

"... Because our mayor, Buddy Dyer, demanded the use of technology like body cameras for police criminal surveillance cameras to track down drug dealers and seize illegal guns," the commercial proclaims, showing the Innovative Response to Improve Safety cameras -- or IRIS cameras.

The problems that plague the cameras that usually sit atop traffic police and street lights in the city first came to light last year.

Orlando police told News 6 a camera located near the scene of a deadly shooting at a downtown nightclub failed to capture the incident because it was not working.

News 6 investigated and found out 36 of the city's 130 cameras were not operational in July of 2014.

That number jumped to 79 cameras out of commission the next month after construction crews cut a fiber optic line by accident.

In February, News 6 discovered 43 cameras were still out of service.

So, how can the mayor tout the program as successful?

Dyer's office says since News 6 uncovered the problems, new procedures have been put in place.

A copy of those new procedures shows new technology now checks the network of cameras around the city each half-second.

They also show other changes are in the works, including a possible change in the way the City of Orlando issues permits for construction work. If a construction crew cuts a fiber-optic line and doesn't report it, they could face fines.

Orlando police are also going to create a new position that will eventually oversee all of the city's IRIS, body and dash cameras.

City leaders didn't say if any IRIS cameras were currently out of commission.


About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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