DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In just a couple of weeks the city of Daytona Beach will launch a pilot program to have security officers patrol six days a week along Beach Street between Orange Avenue and International Speedway Blvd.

What You Need To Know

  • Daytona Beach will launch a 60-day pilot program to increase safety along Beach Street

  • They will hire two security officers to from First Coast Security to cover foot patrol shifts every day except Sundays

  • The city will use Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds to pay for the officers; the cost for the program will be just under $25,000

  • The pilot program will start on March 25, and it will run through May

City of Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry says between public and private investments, the city is spending over $100 million in that area, including the new Riverfront Esplanade.

“We want to make certain that the businesses in that area can feel the rush of energy that is taking place in the park on the weekends,” said Henry. “That park is getting a thousand people a day, and we want those people to feel comfortable when they walk across the street to the businesses.”

Business owner Tammy Kozinski has had her Sweet Marlays’ Coffee shop on Beach Street for almost 14 years, but recently she has seen an increase in the homeless population in the area disturbing customers.

“Just asking people for money, asking people for food. Just overall being disrespectful to customers,” Kozinski said.

The city has been working on a 60-day pilot program to ensure safety in the downtown redevelopment area.

“There were some complaints that were going on with the business owners, whether it was trespassing or just not feeling as safe as they desire to,” said Project Manager for Redevelopment and Neighborhood Services Phebe Fuqua. “The goal is to make sure our businesses thrive in our city. And the only way that they can thrive is that they feel safe.”

Fuqua says the city will hire two security officers from First Coast Security to cover foot patrol shifts every day except Sundays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If they encounter any problems, they will be able to contact the police officers via a walkie talkie.

They will also have access to an app that would allow the city to track every movement by the security officers, as well as to download daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly reports for the incidents.

Kozinski says she hopes this program helps businesses feel safer.

“It’s going to put a presence downtown to maybe help with some of the issues that we’ve had in the past,” he said. “But it’s also going to be something that will work really well for people that are new to the area or visiting the area, trying to find different spots.”

The city will use Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds to pay for the officers. According to Fuqua, the cost of the program will be just under $25,000.

“I think it can’t hurt. I’ll be interested to see. I think it will help somewhat. Like I said, it’s also going to give those who are visiting our area a way to find out what’s going on downtown,” Kozinski said.

The pilot program will start on March 25, and it will run through May.