Old Town/Murder

[mrsstats]

The manager of the Checkers in front of Old Town was shot to death last night. They have the whole area roped off. It was a robberty. It will be on the news down here tonite.

 

[Local_Girl]

Yikes, thanks for posting this, mrsstats. I thought I read a thread recently where Old Town came up and someone implied that it's become a bit shady (for lack of a better word). We were planning on wandering over to see the car event on a Sat. night during our stay, but honestly, I'm a little nervous about it now. Is it really becoming a scary place, or is this just an isolated incident?

 

[Ted and Holly]

What happened was someone drove up to the window, pointed a gun at her and told her to give her the money from the register. She did. And he shot her anyway.

This can happen anywhere. Anywhere you find people, you find bad ones.

Ted

 

[ironwood58]

We are going 1st week of April and staying at Days Inn near Old Town.I am also a little nervous. We have never stayed in Kissimmee. Is this isolated or is this not a good area to be in?If there is any more info please keep us updated.

 

[Ted and Holly]

We are going 1st week of April and staying at Days Inn near Old Town.I am also a little nervous. We have never stayed in Kissimmee. Is this isolated or is this not a good area to be in?If there is any more info please keep us updated.

It is a city. Crime happens.

The best thing to do is to keep aware of your surroundings. Take general precautions you'd take in any city.

Obviously no one is immune to random violence, but keeping your head up will help keep you safe from the opportunistic criminal.

Ted

 

[VacationDad]

We are going 1st week of April and staying at Days Inn near Old Town.I am also a little nervous. We have never stayed in Kissimmee. Is this isolated or is this not a good area to be in?If there is any more info please keep us updated.

Old Town is located right in the middle of a busy area of 192. Any place that is built up like that has the potential for crime. Really, 192 is a mix of tourist traps, seedy motels, run-down stores, some nice hotels, timeshare discount attraction ticket sellers, and a Ponderosa every 3 miles.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Maybe I am a minority of one but I find Old Town disgusting. Also, lets face it, according to some news shows I have watched, the whole Orlando area has a high crime rate. Sure it is hidden under all the fun stuff but none the less. Why do you think that hotels have to offer safes in room? That was a law passed a few years ago because of all the robbery. Most tourist cities are high crime. I bet places like LV are in the same position.

 

[mrsstats]

It appears to be an isolated indicdent. Like Ted & Holly said, crime happens anywhere. Just wanted to post as I know some people have concern about that area. I myself dont like Old Town but have never thought it was unsafe.

 

[pth]

We are going 1st week of April and staying at Days Inn near Old Town.I am also a little nervous. We have never stayed in Kissimmee. Is this isolated or is this not a good area to be in?If there is any more info please keep us updated.

I have always thought that the Days Inn next to Old Town is really a dirty, run down hotel. I know I would never stay there.

 

[HappyLawyer]

I have always thought that the Days Inn next to Old Town is really a dirty, run down hotel. I know I would never stay there.

i liked old town but i agree with you on the hotel, i agree
crime can happen anywhere, i will pray for her and her family, they will be in my thoughts

 

[Sadie]

We stayed at the Baymont Inn near Old Towne in 2002. The hotel was new and clean. I never felt afraid. There was a Perkins that you could walk to. We also went to Old Towne and had a great time. I am very sorry to hear about the shooting at the Checkers restaurant. We ate there a couple of times. Did the manager recover? Has anyone heard anything else? Also does anybody know if the Baymont is still there and what it's condition is now? I know things can change quickly.

 

[mrsstats]

No, the manager was killed after handing over the money she was shot in the chest . The have a sketch of the shooter and a video tape. Hopefully he will be caught.

 

[webray]

We stayed at the Days Inn and Suites in Old town when the kids were little, long before we could afford an onsite disney vacation. The room had plumbing problems, took them quite a while to fix it. The restaurants were ok. There were mice everywhere, I mean everywhere.

There was a group of men watching tourists unpack from cars to rooms.
It isn't a very nice area....we would never recommend anyone stay there.

 

[HappyLawyer]

That is such a shame things like that happen, i know times are hard but there are many other ways to do things, i mean she gave them the money, this is why i am not a public defender, i could not sleep at night even trying to defend people that kill others, i feel for her family, and i hope this person get just what they deserve, they seemed to not even think about this being a vacation or tourist spot and all the families and children that could have been around. This really makes me so sick.
ok sorry for the vent session.

 

[Ozymoe]

There is an absolutely delightful resort (Barefootin' at the Keys) in the rear of Old Town if I recollect right...we eat at that Checkers at least once every vacation ( they have unique fries)...it's a family tradition.

We stay at two incredible (Fairfield Gold Crown) resorts on 192 many weeks of each year...Cypress Palms and Star Island. These are resorts you cannot see from 192, but they are very close. One is across from "the big orange" and one is a half mile east down the road on the same side (for this one you must cross "the Bridge of Lions"). Both of these areas are very safe.

 

[talicskai]

I have to say that when I was there last week we immediately went to the Walmart SuperCenter on 192 and I was very nervous. We have shopped there every year for about the last six and this was the first time I didn't feel comfortable. The shelves were half empty, the place was very dirty and people were really watching us. I vowed not to go back and I didn't We discovered the new Super Target and it was great! I have noticed that the Kissimmee area has really gone downhill and I won't stay down there myself. We went to Cracker Barrel and felt fine but the Walmart is really gross. The rest of the week we drove from Vistana up to the Walmart on John Young Parkway. Next year we won't have to because construction has begun on a new Walmart SuperCenter on SR 535 across from the Buena Vista outlet mall!
Yeah! It was very sad about the manager down at Checkers - I would seriously consider changing your reservation to something up near Downtown Disney. The Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista is a great price and also has family suites.
Teresa

 

[flclarkkent]

Orlando and the surrounding area isn't any more dangerous than any other city its size. But it is a fairly large city, and that being said, crime does happen.

After living here in Florida for a few years, I've started to believe that there isn't any more crime here than any where else..however, the crime here often seems more desperate, or I guess I should say the people committing crimes seem more desperate, and a little crazier, than other places I've lived.

but don't freak out...just keep your wits about you like you would at home or anywhere else.

 

[VacationDad]

Next year we won't have to because construction has begun on a new Walmart SuperCenter on SR 535 across from the Buena Vista outlet mall!

Oh, is that what they are putting in there? We were trying to guess what it would be. It seemed pretty large.

They definitely don't worry about sprawl down there huh? We were laughing at how difficult it would be to get any of that stuff built in our hometown.

 

[Northerner]

We stayed at the Comfort Suites next door to Old Towne and we never felt threatened in any way. You just take the same precautions you would visiting any big city. We loved the Comfort Suites and would stay there again! Great rates and really nice room

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Thank you for letting us know about this so we can keep the manager and her family in our prayers. I know she'll be in mine.

Also, since some have mentioned that they have felt "uneasy" in this area, I thought I might put in a few tips if thats okay. I hope thats alright with everyone but I'm a martial arts instructor and am continually amazed at how many people do not know simple safety tips.

First, as many have said just always be aware of your surroundings. Do not carry around large sums of money on vacation. If its absolutely necessary, carry travelers checks or credit cards. Carry something that you can cancel immediately after a robbery. If someone does try to rob you, give them what they ask for. It stinks, and you still may wind up hurt, but statistically your chances of getting shot are lower if you do not fight someone holding a gun to your head.


Also, never lean into your car to get things. This puts your back to the outside, and renders you unable to see anyone approaching from behind. It woudl be easy for a robber to club you in the back of the head in this position. Many people unfortunately do this without even thinking about it, or they do it with the thought that they are safe for just a second. You'd be amazed at how fast people can move. Just because no one is within your line of sight when you lean in, does not mean that there is no one there.

Also, if possible do not walk around with your wallet or purse swinging around. Honestly that is why I do not carry a purse. People with purses are seen as "easier" targets than those without them. Mainly b/c where a purse is, there is money. A woman without a purse may or may not have cash on them, and robbers are looking for the guaranteed quick profit, so they tend to leave them alone more often than those with purses. I found out this fun fact when interviewing criminals for several projects I have worked on.

Also, if you are being attacked and not just the "Give me your money" setup. The most vulnerable places on the body are the groin, eyes, and shins. Your eyes have more nerves per square inch than any other part of the body. Gouge the persons eyes out if you can. The shins have a bundle of nerves running up them so if you can kick them there, and hit the right spot, you may distract them enough to run away. The groin is the same concept.

Basically no matter where you are, keep your eyes open. Even in grocery store parking lots. Statistically the most kidnappings occur in grocery store parking lots, and the number one targets are young women. Tragedies like the one mentioned here serve to remind us all of the need to be careful everywhere.