ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer delivered his 2026 State of the City Address Friday, spotlighting record public safety improvements, housing growth and the city employees powering it all.
Speaking at The Plaza Live, Dyer pointed to a 19% citywide reduction in crime last year as one of Orlando’s biggest achievements, noting the city recorded just 10 homicides — the fewest in 50 years and the largest decrease in homicides of any major U.S. city.
“These numbers are more than just statistics,” Dyer said. “They represent secure neighborhoods where residents can sleep better knowing they’re supported by officers working day and night to protect us all.”
On housing, Dyer said Orlando has added nearly 24,000 residential units over the last six years — equivalent to every home in Altamonte Springs. The city’s “Orlando Unlaunched” initiative is modernizing zoning, streamlining approvals and converting vacant city-owned lots into affordable housing.
Dyer also highlighted the Vision Zero traffic safety program, crediting more than 100 safety projects with a 40% drop in deadly and serious injury crashes since 2020 — representing 60 lives saved.
Closing the address, Dyer urged residents to pay close attention to Amendment 3 on the November ballot, warning that if passed, Orlando could lose up to $80 million annually in property tax revenue — threatening police, fire, parks and other essential services.
“Our decisions at the ballot box in November will shape how cities and counties provide the services we all depend on,” he said.