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.”
