Making Our Neighborhoods Safe

“What Happened In MetroWest?”

1. Why did crime go up last year in MetroWest?
Answer: The Orlando Police Department pulled officers from MetroWest to cover other neighborhoods. Crime increased across Central Florida due to a combination of economic factors and lack of police presence.

2. What did the MetroWest Master Association do?
Answer: It placed highly managed off-duty Orlando Police Department officers on our streets. MetroWest now enjoys the kind of police presence that the town of Windermere has enjoyed for years.

3. What are the results of this initiative?
Answer: The results have been astounding. In just a few months, crime in MetroWest has been reduced to nearly zero – all for less than $20 per homeowner, per year.

MetroWest – Zero Tolerance on Crime

MetroWest Master Association Launches Safe Neighborhood Program

“Since this program was launched, we’ve seen MetroWest’s residents and businesses express a sigh of relief. In fact, MetroWest is able to report fewer criminal incidents than nearby upscale communities that tout ‘safe’ reputations,” said Ken Simback, President of the MetroWest Master Association.

The patrols have been effective because their efforts are managed carefully with tracking programs providing constant information about potential problems in the neighborhood. The Orlando Police Department (OPD) Special Unit officers meet regularly face-to-face with Simback to assess results and receive input from residents and business owners, who are invited to attend the meetings. The OPD officers also attend Homeowner Association meetings in neighborhoods throughout MetroWest as part of the outreach component of the Safe Neighborhood initiative.

Simback noted that the Master Association will continue the OPD Special Unit permanently with the goal of keeping the incidence of crime at zero.  “Making MetroWest the safest neighborhood in Orlando means obliterating even small crimes, like speeding,” he said. “With OPD on the scene, even petty crime has been stopped dead in its tracks.”

MetroWest resident and Master Association board member Kelley Powell said that creating the special OPD unit was necessary to preserve MetroWest’s property values, which could have taken a considerable hit if crime hadn’t been addressed.

“I am fully invested in MetroWest; I love it here; I live here and work here. Watching the crime get knocked out, as evidenced by the City’s data, is like a breath of fresh air,” she said. “If you live in MetroWest now, you are living in one of the safest neighborhoods in Central Florida.”

“The hiring of off-duty Orlando Police Officers to patrol and protect the MetroWest area is indicative of true commitment, leadership and responsibility,” said Orlando City Commissioner Samuel B. Ings, Mayor Pro Tem District 6. “The MetroWest Master Association is to be commended for taking bold and positive steps on ensuring the safety and security of its residents, visitors and businesses within the MetroWest community.”

MetroWest Now Orlando’s Safest Neighborhood

MetroWest now enjoys the kind of permanent police presence that Windermere has had for years. With its newly formed special Orlando Police Department (OPD) MetroWest Unit and a multi-pronged Safe Neighborhood Program the MetroWest Master Association has made MetroWest Orlando’s safest neighborhood. “Nothing beats a well-trained professional police unit for getting and keeping MetroWest crime to zero. We have advantages over other neighborhoods because we are able to partner with the OPD, the area’s best trained, most professional police force,” said Betty Reed, Master Association Director.

When crime began creeping up last year the causes were difficult to immediately identify. What wasn’t difficult to understand was the cost of crime to the community; everyone in MetroWest was looking for an answer. The boldest and most immediately effective move was to form the special OPD MetroWest Unit comprising some of OPD’s best officers who work off-duty for the special unit. On March 29th the Orlando Sentinel reported that “Hired Guns” were going to patrol MetroWest. In fact, the special OPD unit had already been put into place.
“Overall, we’ve had tremendous support from MetroWest residents and businesses,” said Ken Simback, Master Association President. “As usual there are a few vocal critics who don’t want the Master
Association paying for security, but at less than $20 per year per MetroWest homeowner, the overwhelming majority of MetroWest owners are happy with the results of their investment.”

MetroWest News From Your Neighbors

MetroWest is Orlando’s nicest neighborhood and with the exception of a short-lived, now eradicated, jump in crime late last year we’ve always been known as one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Orlando.  Here you’ll find news about MetroWest by your neighbors who care deeply about our community.