AfriPulse
ORLANDO, Fla. – “We all remember what happened last year and how terrifying it was,” recalls Abdullah Hakim, who will be working in downtown Orlando this Halloween. His words echo the collective memory of a city still reeling from the shocking event.
On that fateful night, Hakim faced a harrowing ordeal as he ran for his life. A 17-year-old had opened fire in the downtown area, leaving nine people wounded in the chaos that ensued. “Many of my coworkers were right there when the shooting occurred, and it has left a deeper scar on them,” Hakim shared, reflecting on the trauma that still haunts those who witnessed the violence firsthand.
This sense of unease is further compounded by recent legal actions. This week, the families of two individuals who lost their lives in last year’s Halloween shooting took a significant step by filing lawsuits. These legal complaints argue that officers and agents of the Orlando Police Department failed to implement necessary policies and procedures to ensure the safety of the downtown area during that tragic night.
[BELOW: Families of Orlando Halloween mass shooting victims file suit ‘to get answers’]
[BELOW: Families of Orlando Halloween mass shooting victims file suit ‘to get answers’]
In a statement, the city of Orlando said, in part, “The Orlando Police Department will actively monitor roadways throughout the evening and make adjustments as needed to manage anticipated crowds.”
Hakim said he believes the city has made changes to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We’re all pretty wary. I’m optimistic, so we kind of hope for the best,” he said.
After the shooting, the city made several changes, including reopening Orange Avenue and side streets to traffic during late-night hours and using barricades to keep pedestrians closer to the sidewalks. The city of Orlando also implemented a new policy requiring businesses to have a $250 after-midnight alcohol sales permit.
“I don’t know if the permits are going to change anything,” said Shannine Anderson, who came downtown to celebrate Halloween. “I don’t think it was the business owners causing the issue. I don’t really know — maybe it was. I think just having as many cops around as possible helps because there’s a presence.”
Friday night, several people came out dressed in costumes as police officers and city workers monitored and patrolled the downtown area.
“I’m not gonna live my life on one event that happened a year ago,” said Ashli Kerr. “There’s been shootings at trillions of other places, so you have to keep going.”
Businesses must also have police protection and security on weekends and during five major holidays at certain hours of the day.
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Source: NewsFinale | Read the Full Story…
