Crime prevention substation opens in Pine Hills after violent weekend

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff's Office on Monday rolled out a crime prevention substation after a recent spike in violent crime in Pine Hills and surrounding areas.

After the Sheriff's Office and Orlando police announced the new initiative on Friday, however, more violent crimes occurred over the weekend in Pine Hills.

Four people were shot and one person was stabbed Saturday in unrelated incidents.

"This effort will include increased patrols and multiple other tactics in Pine Hills to reduce the number of violent crimes, so that the residents and the businesses can feel safe again in this community," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said.

Part of what's called "Operation Rise" is helping to open the lines of communication between deputies and residents.

Deputies said a mobile substation will be staffed starting Monday at a shopping center parking lot on the corner of Pine Hills and Silver Star roads.

"We are wanting the community to come and outreach, give their information on what they have seen happening in the community and how we can jump in and help solve these crimes and the violent crime here in Pine Hills," said Cpl. Chris Titley manning the substation Monday morning. 

Deputies said they're encouraging residents to come out, voice concerns and provide tips that could help prevent and possibly solve crimes in the area.

"Again it's to make the community safer and to solve all these violent crimes that are going on. We've got a long road ahead of us. You got to give it time and let things work out and get in place and let us work and do our job and be seen," Cpl. Titley added.

Resident Jose Bido stopped by to report suspicious activity he's seen in his Pine Hills neighborhood about a mile away.

"I have a great concern for the safety of my kids and the safety of the neighborhood," Bido said. "I think this is great. This is the first step but the community needs to come together." 

The crime prevention sub station is scheduled to be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

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