ORLANDO, Fla. – As Florida Classic weekend gets underway in Orlando, local authorities are enforcing Special Event Zones to bolster traffic safety near Camping World Stadium.
“There’s rarely trouble during this event,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.
“So, a lot of people in town, so, you always want to make sure you have the right amount of security for an event like this. But there will be a safe weekend for the Florida Classic.”
Local authorities are enforcing Special Event Zones near Camping World Stadium. In the zones, fines could be doubled for traffic infractions and vehicles may be subject to impounding.
This year, the following areas are designated Special Event Zones from Nov. 21-25, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office:
- Colonial Drive from Tampa Avenue to Hiawassee Road
- John Young Parkway from SR 408 to WD Judge Road
- Old Winter Garden Road from John Young Parkway to Ferguson Drive
Additionally, the Orlando Police Department has a Special Event Zone in place on Orange Blossom Trail from Colonial Drive to State Road 408.
News 6 asked the Orlando Police Department if they have beefed up security for this weekend as a result of the mass shooting on Halloween that left several people injured and two others dead.
“The Orlando Police Department is unable to discuss specific security measures,” OPD said in a statement.
“We always plan and staff each event appropriately and assess the situation to make any necessary security modifications. The Orlando Police Department would like to remind the community to always call 9-1-1 or flag down an officer working the event if they see anything suspicious. Whether security measures are visible or not, officers are always working on the streets and behind the scenes to ensure the safety of our city.”
Kisha Williams, who lives in Orlando, attended the Battle of the Bands at the Kia Center on Friday evening and will be at the Florida Classic on Saturday.
“Why bring something that destroys lives. This is a time for fun and fellowship there should be no weapons or nothing that can harm others,” Williams said.
[RELATED: Road closures in Orange County, Orlando]
While local law enforcement focuses on taking steps to keep fans safe, those who attend every year describe the atmosphere of the game as a family reunion.
“It’s like the barbecue. We have football going on at the same time,” Bethune-Cookman Athletic Director Reggie Theus said. “So, we get to fight against each other for the length of the game, but we’re all family, and we have a lot of fun here.”
It is also a fundraiser for the universities.
“We love the mission of this game, which is to provide scholarships back to both schools,” Florida Blue Central Florida Region Market President Tony Jenkins said. “There’s a battle of bands tonight which is fun. This luncheon is great. The football game is great, but we have a deeper mission. We want to help me a part of educating future leaders up tomorrow.”
It is also an economic force for the city.
“This game generates $30 million of economic opportunity for the community as well,” Jenkins explained. “So it benefits for schools, but it also benefits the Orlando business community as well.”
Orange County has been using Special Event Zones for a couple years now, designating them in 2022 and 2023 for the Florida Classic as well.
Florida lawmakers in 2022 passed the law allowing the establishment of such zones with the aim of deterring unpermitted events that could disrupt traffic.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:
