Conway, FL – June 2025

What was once a quiet, suburban neighborhood just southeast of downtown Orlando is now facing a growing concern: crime in Conway is rising, and residents are taking notice. A surge in property crimes, disturbances, and even violent incidents has rattled the community, prompting calls for stronger safety measures, better lighting, and a reinvestment in public trust.

📈 A Surge in Reports: Burglaries, Vehicle Thefts, and More

In recent weeks, data from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) and Orlando Police Department (OPD) show a marked uptick in reported criminal activity in the Conway area. From home break-ins to vehicle thefts and fraud cases, police logs reflect near-daily calls for service, including:

Theft from vehicles in driveways and residential streets
Break-ins reported near Hoffner Avenue and Conway Road
Domestic disturbances, fraudulent transactions, and trespassing
At least one shooting and several shots-fired calls from surrounding neighborhoods

The incidents are spread across Conway’s main corridors and side streets—affecting older homes and newer developments alike.

🔫 A Troubling Incident Reflects Broader Worries

While the most high-profile recent shooting occurred outside Conway—when a deputy shot a suspect after being assaulted in nearby Pine Hills—it served as a grim reminder that violent encounters can quickly impact the broader Orange County community.

Closer to home, home security cameras in Conway have caught thieves prowling around parked cars and porches at night. In many cases, the perpetrators leave with purses, tools, or electronics before officers can respond.

“This used to be one of the quietest areas in Orlando. Now we wake up and hear about another car break-in or fight down the street,” said Jenna Miles, a resident near Gatlin Avenue.

🧭 What’s Behind the Spike?

Several factors may be contributing to the rise in crime:

Increased neighborhood density and traffic on major corridors like Conway Road and Hoffner Avenue
Inadequate street lighting in some residential pockets
Lack of continuous sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure, which can deter active surveillance by neighbors
Slow police response times to lower-priority calls due to county-wide staffing shortages

Additionally, law enforcement faces the ongoing challenge of separating crime patterns specific to Conway from broader trends in the greater Orlando region.

🛡️ What Law Enforcement Is Doing

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and OPD are actively addressing incidents as they arise, and some progress has been made:

A new traffic signal was installed at Conway and Simmons Roads to improve intersection safety.
Night patrols have been increased in some affected zones, according to county reports.
Online tools such as OPD’s Active Police Call Feed and Crime Mapping dashboards allow residents to track calls in real time.

Still, community members feel the response hasn’t matched the urgency.

“We need more than patrols. We need preventative action—lighting, cameras, outreach. Right now, we’re reactive,” said Mark Ruiz, a former neighborhood watch coordinator.

👥 What Residents Can Do to Stay Safe

Here are actionable steps Conway residents can take to help protect their homes and neighborhoods:

✅ 1. Form or Join a Neighborhood Watch

Organize with neighbors and set up watch groups in partnership with OPD or OCSO. This can include scheduled patrol walks, digital surveillance coordination, and regular meetings.

✅ 2. Improve Lighting and Visibility

If your street lacks adequate lighting, request a streetlight audit through Orange County Public Works. Install motion-sensor lights and visible cameras on your property.

✅ 3. Report Every Incident

Even small thefts or suspicious behavior should be reported. Consistent documentation helps law enforcement allocate resources.

✅ 4. Use Technology to Stay Informed

Follow the Orlando Active Call Feed
Download crime map apps like CrimeMapping.com or Nextdoor’s Safety Alerts
Share real-time footage with neighbors and police when relevant

✅ 5. Engage with Local Government

Attend city council or county commission meetings
Advocate for traffic calming, sidewalk infrastructure, and public lighting
Request presentations from OPD or OCSO about local safety trends

🏛️ What Local Government Needs to Do

While residents are taking action, they continue to press Orange County and local law enforcement for:

More visible patrols in hot spots like Gatlin, Curry Ford, and Conway Road
Infrastructure upgrades, including sidewalks, cameras, and lighting
Faster data sharing about arrests, charges, and repeat offenders
Increased community policing programs, including outreach in schools and neighborhood events

Without stronger coordination between government agencies and the public, Conway risks a further decline in safety perception—even as real data fluctuates.

✅ Final Word: From Quiet Streets to Civic Action

Conway is at a crossroads. Once seen as a peaceful, family-oriented neighborhood, it now finds itself confronting the realities of urban sprawl and modern crime. But residents are not powerless. Through collective vigilance, smart use of technology, and sustained pressure on elected officials, Conway can reclaim its reputation as one of Orange County’s most livable communities.

Crime on the Rise in Conway: Residents Seek Safer Streets Amid Spike in Thefts and Disturbances

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