MOUNT DORA, Fla. – Law enforcement and city officials are making it clear hate crimes will not be tolerated in Mount Dora through a new Safe Place Initiative.
Mount Dora Interim Police Chief, Michael Gibson, said the program was started by the Seattle Police Department and has expanded to law enforcement agencies across the country.
“We do absolutely want people to feel safe everywhere in Mount Dora,” said Mount Dora Mayor, Crissy Stile.
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According to the city’s website, the mission of the Safe Place initiative is to provide the community with safety information and safe places throughout the city they can turn to if they are victims of anti-LGBTIQ-plus or other hate crimes.
The police department will provide stickers to city buildings, businesses and other organizations who sign up to participate.
“I think what the sticker does is just brings awareness to people, like I said, whether they live here or they’re just visiting Mount Dora, that ‘oh, hey, safe place,’ Stile said. “You know, they can take it back to their city and that we’re thinking about it.”
Gibson said even though hate crimes aren’t common in Mount Dora, he said it’s possible people aren’t reporting those crimes.
“There may be some hate and bias crimes going on out there that are just simply not reported,” Gibson said. “They’re not trusting the police enough to report them. So we’re going to proactively go out there and try to get those folks to report any crimes of hate, any crimes or bias so we can continue to make Mount Dora safe place to visit and live.”
The owner of Home and Garden Treasures, Lisa Winslow, said she supports the new initiative and plans to apply for the program.
“I absolutely would keep you safe,” Winslow said. “No one should be treated poorly in today’s world. Just be kind. Be kind to everyone.”
Gibson also said the program is trademarked by the Seattle Police Department. Because of that, Mount Dora will have to go through an application process before the program is up and running in Mount Dora. Gibson said that process could take a few weeks.
To learn more about the safe space initiative, click here.
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