Miami’s Scott Cooper on the Dark Side of Orlando, Florida

Every city has a dark side, and Orlando is no different. Crime, corruption, and shady dealings are unfortunately a part of the inner workings of every city in America. Scott Cooper of Miami, Florida, an expert on urban underworlds, sex tourism, and city-based crime, states that Orlando’s status as a popular tourist destination doesn’t diminish crime, but instead just makes it harder to see.

Just this year, Orlando was designated one of the top murder capitals of America. It was ranked number 20, coming before both Memphis and Chicago. Scott Cooper states that many people will probably be surprised by this statistic because of the popularity of Orlando as a tourist destination.

“Many people seem to think that tourist hotspots are free of violent crime and criminal activity because of a higher law enforcement presence. This simply isn’t the case,” said Cooper.

Disney World, a popular tourist destination in Orlando for families with young children has led to many believing that Orlando is safer than other cities in America. Often, people will associate Orlando with Disney princesses, talking animals, and a big white castle, diminishing the fact that Orlando is still very much a city with a crime problem.

Miami’s Scott Cooper is no stranger to living near crime. In 2015, Miami occupied space number 20 on a Fox News list of the 20 most dangerous cities in America. Like Miami, Orlando has a high murder rate, high property theft rate, and is a popular destination for sex tourism.

Sex trafficking is also a widespread problem in Orlando and throughout the state of Florida. In fact, Florida is among the top three states in the U.S. in terms of human trafficking. The majority of sex trafficking victims are transported into highly populated tourist areas because of a high demand, Scott Cooper says. Orlando, being the biggest tourist destination within Florida, has become a primary state hub for sex trafficking.

People shouldn’t be afraid of travelling to Orlando, however, says Cooper. For the most part, crime and shady dealings are relatively concentrated to several areas of the city. The west side of Interstate 4, Tangelo Park, and the Orange Blossom Trail are three places in Orlando you should definitely avoid. These areas have very high murder and theft rates and are peppered with drug dealers and gangs. Cab drivers and pizza delivery places actually avoid these locations at night because of the dangers to drivers.

The main thing to keep in mind is that Orlando, despite its status as a popular tourist destination has a dark side. It’s not all princesses, musicals, food, and fun. Keep your wits about you, be wary of what neighborhoods you visit, and always know your surroundings. Cooper always stresses, however, that just because you’re being careful doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun!