Downtown business owner reacts to results of monthslong OPD sting

ORLANDO, Fla. — On Thursday, some downtown Orlando nightclub and bar owners said they felt blindsided by a monthslong Orlando Police Department sting operation. 

On Wednesday, OPD released the results of the sting, which included reports from undercover officers who say they witnessed about 150 after midnight alcohol sales permit ordinance violations across 23 establishments. OPD officials also accused some employees at those establishments of sold drugs to undercover officers.

Matty Bullitt, the operating owner at Bullitt Bar, said he felt blindsided and surprised by what was released. He claims an individual identified as one of his employees by OPD has never worked for him, and none of his other employees know who he is.

“They’re attacking the nightlife in downtown, period,” Bullitt said. “They have an agenda and they’re putting their foot on our necks.”

Bullitt said he heard about alleged violations at his business through media reports and not directly from the police. He also said police never told him about violations at his establishment, until he found out on the news on Wednesday night.

“The chief says that the bars need to work with him to make the streets safer or prevent this from happening, but we have not heard from the chief,” Bullitt said.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith told Spectrum News that OPD had received complaints about drug dealing going on in downtown bars, which prompted the launch of “Operation Night Cap.”

The operation started in July and ended in November. Undercover officers say they successfully purchased illegal substances like fentanyl and cocaine from 23 different establishments during this time.

Police say the sting resulted in 85 charges against 32 suspects. Five of those suspects were identified as employees at establishments where the drug sales took place, including an employee at Bullitt Bar. Bullitt, though, said that’s not true.

“That gentleman has never worked for us, none of our staff or security know who he is,” he said. “And for five months, you don’t tell us anything at all, right? If there’s guns going into venues or if there’s drugs happening in our venues, if you’re finding holes in our operations, why are we not told for five months? And within that five months there was a shooting downtown.”

Bullitt said he’s upset and said police didn’t give him a chance to address any violations they found because he was never told about them.

As part of the after-midnight sales permit, businesses are required to implement the use of weapons detection systems and ID scanners as safety measures

“We have ID scanners, we have metal detector wands, we do pat downs,” said Bullitt.

David Barilla is the executive director of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency and oversees what happens within downtown.

“It was an initial context of just disappointment and concern,” said Barilla. “The sheer number of violations just really gave me specifically pause, to really think how, we can rethink, various types of programs to really get our entertainment operators to line up alongside us.”

Barilla said the first step is to reengage with nightlife business owners and ensure they implement guidelines required by the AMS permit.

Like the S.A.F.E program, Barilla said it funds businesses in downtown to buy ID scanners, wands, and cameras, in an effort to help keep downtown safe.

“So, we’ve already started thinking, as this is a good time to circle with those bar owners, let them know about the opportunity for those who have not taken us up on those offers yet,” he said.

A future hearing will be held to address violations identified by OPD investigators, and a decision will be made to suspend or revoke permits for businesses found in violation.