A “Dead Dyer” message was painted on a wall in affluent Baldwin Park targeting the Orlando Mayor.
Two messages – “Dead Dyer” and “Dump Dyer” – were painted on a wall across from the popular lake and path in Orlando’s Baldwin Park for at least two days over the weekend.
Is it a serious death threat against Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer or just heated political rhetoric? Either way, it’s not a good look for the Central Florida community. Given the times and the current political climate, who knows what to think about these messages.
For these type of messages, including “Dead Dyer,” to remain visible for multiple days, in an affluent community, is also not a good look for Orlando. The “Dump Dyer” message was painted over sometime on Sunday and was actually covered up before the “Dead Dyer” message.
West Orlando News first reached out to city officials and the Orlando Police Department about the “Dead Dyer” and “Dump Dyer” painted messages on Saturday, April 4th, but there was no response over the weekend or into Monday morning.
City of Orlando Public Information Managers Ashley Papagni and Andrea Otero did not respond to questions about the death threat made against Mayor Buddy Dyer. A staffer in the Mayor’s office confirmed both were working Monday morning but neither would take a call or respond to email questions about the messages targeting the mayor.
The City of Orlando and the Orlando Police Department were asked if they are aware of any active death threats against Mayor Buddy Dyer, specifically referencing the painted message stating “Dead Dyer” in Baldwin Park. The Mayor’s office and OPD also did not answer if any additional precautions were being taken due to the messages or if this threat was being taken seriously.
After numerous attempts, OPD Public Information Commander Lieutenant Yong Hall finally responded to West Orlando News on April 6th stating they will follow up later in the day on the matter. [UPDATE: OPD followed up on the death threat to Mayor Dyer, stating to West Orlando News: “This is an active investigation. No additional information is available at this time in order to protect the integrity of the case.”]
Mayor Buddy Dyer, who is a Democrat, has escalated political rhetoric in the past, including recently calling a Pulse victims’ advocate a “terrorist” in a public press conference and doubling down on it at an Orlando City Council meeting. He has often been rude to many, especially anyone who offers any criticism or differing opinion, and he clearly created that toxic culture in City Hall as much of his staff attempts to imitate his behavior. Many do not like Mayor Dyer, but you do not see messages like “Dead Dyer” in Orlando.
No matter what differences people may have, or decisions some may not like, or politicians who are rude and have overstayed their time in public office, there should never be political violence or threats and messages of violence or death.
Orlando should be better than this.