Residents and community leaders in Pine Hills are coming together on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at The Kingdom Church (800 N. Pine Hills Road, Orlando, FL) to discuss local law enforcement response protocols and public safety measures. The town hall meeting is being organized in response to ongoing concerns about how safety challenges are managed in the community.

The meeting is set against the backdrop of the February 2023 shootings—a tragic incident that followed the murder of Natacha Augustin and resulted in the deaths of 9-year-old T’Yonna Major and 24-year-old Spectrum News reporter Dylan Lyons. Community members are raising pressing questions about why Pine Hills was not placed on lockdown during that critical moment. Research has also suggested that Pine Hills Elementary has not experienced a lockdown since December 2014, though this detail awaits official confirmation by local authorities.

Organizers intend for the discussion to serve as a collaborative platform where residents, community leaders, and law enforcement officials work together to identify gaps in current protocols. Key topics on the agenda include concerns over the perceived imbalance between aggressive policing and insufficient protection, and how both sides can coordinate to prevent future safety lapses. The aim is to conclude the session with a concrete action plan that clearly outlines the responsibilities of law enforcement and the community during emergencies.

This town hall marks a proactive step by the Pine Hills community to seek transparency and improved safety measures in an era of evolving challenges.